Table of Contents
Introduction
Here is a company I’ve been meaning to write about for a while. Motion Systems, they are a manufacturer of motion simulation hardware, unfortunately they don’t sell direct to home users. They do have a network of distributors who are more than happy to take your money if you decide this is something you would care to invest in.
Motion Systems Products
Their catalog is extensive to put it mildly, you can find a product for everything from your “basic” 2DoF (Degrees of Freedom) driving platform, to a full 6DoF which could be used to practice docking a spacecraft at the ISS, to 4DoF home movie theater where either each seat moves in 4 axis, or the entire room can! Capt. EO style if you are old enough to remember that attraction? Let’s have a look at a few of their products.
QS-220-PL
We’ll start with the least expensive offering on the Motion Systems websites products page of their website. For €5,000.00 ($5,363 US at the time of writing) you can purchase the QS-220-PL kit. See the product page at the preceding link.
The kit includes
- 2X linear actuators with stabilization plates
- Maximum velocity = 800mm/s
- Maximum acceleration = 0.8G
- Actuator stroke = 100mm
- Latency = <8ms
- Maximum control frequency = 1000Hz
- Vibration frequency range = 0-100Hz
- 1X power cabinet (control module)
- Power Requirements = 115V/7.35A (230V/4.55A)
- Cabling
- QS-MC6 MOTION CONTROLLER SET
- 1X USB controller
- 1X Motion lock (with additional 2 m long cable)
- 1X M-BUS Terminator
- Cabling
- Software Qubic Manager (free-of-charge license included)
- Motion SDK – ForceSeatDI
- Motions SDK – ForceSeatMI
- Motion Theater
Schematic
Here is a hypothetical full motion 4Dof setup using a pair of QS-220-PL’s.
Examples
Utilizing the above configuration here are a few examples of setups you could create with a Motion Systems QS-220-PL or two.
By adding a curved screen, steering wheel/pedal set, racing seat, and platform you could have this awesome full motion sim racing rig.
Alternatively, with a VR headset, flight stick, HOTAS, rudder pedals, and airplane seat you could also put together a realistic airplane or fighter jet cockpit. F16 cockpit pictured below. (Ejection seat not recommended but if you insist, I have a couple ideas involving and old airbag module)
Finally, here is a review video on YouTube for the Motion Systems QS-220-PL.
All of the above examples utilize 2 of these systems so the price would be double the single system cost quoted above. There is nothing stopping you from putting together a 2DoF rig that would make you the envy of everyone around here with a single unit.
QS-CH2 (Qubic System)
This may not be much to look at, but it has a lot to offer and is tailored to the racing simulation community. Clocking in at €8,900.00 ($9,548 at time of writing) we have the Motion Systems QS-CH2 Motion Platform. Product page at preceding link.
Key specs
- Surge Movement = +50mm, -50mm. (forward and backward)
- Yaw Movement = 7.2°, -7.2°.
Schematic
While this option doesn’t have the travel distance of the first model, according to the website where this option shines is with the fidelity and granularity of the feedback it provides. From the Motion Systems website.
KEY FEATURES
PRECISE VEHICLE FEEDBACK AND OVERSTEER
The QS-CH2 provides the most precise traction loss feeling by moving the entire cockpit. The motion system is based on the world’s fastest linear actuator’s technology, which delivers an incredible level of instant feedback to the driver.
https://motionsystems.eu/product/2dof/qs-ch2/
This motion platform is suitable for Rally, Drift and any racing simulations. By providing the oversteering effect, the platform can be used effectively for real and sim racing drivers training making them feel what happens to the front and the rear of the vehicle.
APPLICATIONS
QS-CH2 platform has been designed to provide the most immerse traction loss feeling as it gets to teach them positive reactions and earn muscle memory needed to keep the vehicle on the best possible racing line. Drivers must fully control the slip of the front and rear wheels on their vehicles.
https://motionsystems.eu/product/2dof/qs-ch2/
They want to master the balance between total loss of grip and smooth corner entry.
Rally simulators
GT racing simulation
Drift
F1 simulators
Land vehicle simulators
Virtual reality simulators for entertainment
TRACTION LOSS EFFECT AND ACCELERATION / DECELERATION
QS-CH2 traction loss + surge platform is a single part of the entire rig, and is primarily responsible for traction loss car simulation. The QS-CH2 motion platform may not seem like a necessity, but racers who try the traction loss and get used to it find it hard to go back.
https://motionsystems.eu/product/2dof/qs-ch2/
Over braking is when you brake too hard, and your wheels end up locking. The traction loss platform moves the rig to simulate backward g-force on driver’s body.
Over steering is when the back-end of the virtual vehicle ends up slipping because you turned your steering too hard. The traction loss simulator moves the cockpit to the side with respect to the oversteering direction. During over-steering, the back-end of your vehicle is what primarily slips.
Over accelerating is when driver press the throttle too hard, too quickly, causing them to spin in their position. The traction loss platform moves the cockpit backwards to simulate g-force forwards on driver’s body.
QS-CH2 in action. Here are some short repeating graphics showing what the QS-CH2 can do. The first is just the platform and the second is combined with the a pair of QS-220-PL’s from above.
And finally let’s look at an awesome setup geared towards our friends in the flight simulator community.
PS-2ROT3-150 MOTION SET
The final product we’ll have a look at is the Motion Systems PS-2ROT3-150 Motion Set. Product page found at preceding link. No despite what it may look like this isn’t a centrifuge secreted away from some clandestine uranium enrichment site hidden inside a mountain somewhere.
PS-2ROT3-150 consists of.
- 2DOF rotational motion platform
- 3DOF motion set inside the cockpit
- Dedicated seat with 6-point seatbelts
The intended markets for this product are.
- COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT
- spaceship simulator
- baloon flight
- launch and flight in space rocket
- roller coaster ride
- hyperloop ride
- PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
- training for operators of construction vehicles driver
- training for crane operators
- training for tank crew (driver or gunner)
You could make this bad boy your very own for the low price of, €180,000.00 ($193,226 USD at time of writing.)
Schematic
Plus, this sketchy looking drawing which has just about convinced me that this will take you on a trip through space, time, or space-time.
The more I stare at that second schematic the more convinced I become that this is ET’s way of getting ground beef to both make itself and pay for the required equipment.
Key specs
- PRODUCT OVERLOOK
- Height = 2674mm (106in)
- Length = 2025mm (79.7in)
- Width = 2283mm (89.6in)
- Max user weight = 150kg (331lb)
- Weight = 1950k (4300lb)
- POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
- 2 x Single Phase 230V
- MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE ALONG THE AXIS
- LONGITUDINAL
- Max angular movement speed: 90°/s
- Max angular acceleration of motion: 30°/s²
- LATERAL
- Max angular movement speed: 90°/s
- Max angular acceleration of motion: 30°/s²
I’m going to bring this to a close because I find as I stare at these pictures longer thoughts about financing, second mortgages, and how on Earth I could ever justify this keep coming into my head. One last one.
Conclusion
Well, if I ever win the lottery one day, I think someone at Motion Systems will be getting of my calling all of the time. Barring that it is truly amazing what can be accomplished with modern technology. While its price is outside of what most gamers and/or hobbyists could justify paying I’m sure there is somebody out there right now with the motivation, grit, and determination, to DIY themselves something just like this. When you do, please drop us a line and let us know about it.
Related
While putting together something on the scale that Motions Systems deals in is beyond both the skill and budget of most of us around here, there is no reason you can’t start small and get yourself a triple monitor setup going.
Here is a writeup on a handy program that makes life with triple monitors bearable.
If you’ve gone that far the next step is to setup headtracking obviously. We have covered one inexpensive app that turns your phone into a head tracker, and also a free Android head tracker app that does the same.