Driving simulators in the field of medicine and traffic psychology

Driving simulators in medical & traffic psychology area.

Active training on a driving simulator allows patients to improve both their physical coordination and their concentration and reaction skills. The driving simulator also serves as preparation for regaining a driver's license. The question of mobility at the end of rehabilitation is crucial for many patients and serves as a major motivational factor. With the ability to drive again, the patient gains both quality of life and independence.

Car Simulator

An innovative tool for medical examinations

The simulator cabin is equipped with components such as a steering wheel, pedals, light switch, multifunction lever, and various buttons to realistically replicate a vehicle's driver's seat. The model features an adjustable driver's seat to provide a comfortable sitting experience. The simulator can be used as either a manual or automatic transmission vehicle. An enhanced visual system allows the driver to immerse themselves in the virtual environment and thoroughly observe side streets. Replays and instrument displays are integrated into the front view.

Modular System

Optional components, such as a head-tracking system to detect head position, different monitor sizes, and gear shift levers, allow for custom configurations. An instructor control panel allows the operator to manage driver data, create training sequences, monitor and evaluate the drive, and issue real-time commands. The control panel consists of an additional PC, a 24-inch monitor, and a printer, making it easier to manage driver data and scenarios.

Available Controls:

• Steering wheel
• Gear shift (5G + R)
• Turn signal lever
• Pedals
• Light switch
• Seat with seatbelt
• keypad
• Navigation buttons, handbrake button, horn, lights, hazard lights, automatic (N, R, D, P)
• Engine start button
• Three 43” monitors
• Footrest
• USB sockets (e.g. for headphones)

Graphics, vehicle simulation, tourist traffic, scenarios and much more

Simulation Software

The simulator software uses a graphically appealing database to display a realistic virtual world. This includes rural areas, mountain and urban roads, highways and expressways. The route elements include intersections, traffic lights, traffic signs, inclines, declines, forest sections and highway entrances and exits. The visualization includes houses, cities, forests, various additional elements, animated pedestrians and animals as well as various vehicle types such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. The driving simulation allows trips to be recorded and evaluated. Functions such as replays, evaluation diagrams, log files and an error analysis system are available. The simulator's software uses a graphically appealing database to display a realistic virtual world. This includes rural areas, mountain and city roads, highways and expressways. The route elements include intersections, traffic lights, traffic signs, inclines, declines, forest sections and highway entrances and exits. The visualization includes houses, cities, forests, various additional elements, animated pedestrians and animals as well as various vehicle types such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. The driving simulation allows trips to be recorded and evaluated. Functions such as replays, evaluation diagrams, log files and an error analysis system are available.

Hazard Situations

“Traffic Safety” software module

This module represents a variety of critical traffic situations. The driver learns to “read” the road and thus identify and defuse potential sources of danger at an early stage. Various weather conditions and environments are supported. Depending on the topic, the scenarios last approx. 3-5 minutes.

The simulated reality

Free driving

In the “Free Driving” program module, the driver can familiarize himself with the requirements of a normal car journey. No special training content is taught here; The driver is encouraged to implement what he has learned in a stress-free manner. The simulated free exit is particularly realistic because weather conditions and lighting conditions can be determined. It can also be trained in rain, fog, night and dusk. Different environmental areas such as city, country road, mountain range and highway are offered.

Driving Rehabilitation

Procedure for determining suitability

The simulator is useful for the examiner as a decision-making aid to determine suitability. The simulator is also intended to support the driver in self-assessment. However, the results of the simulator cannot currently be classified as binding for determining suitability and always require interpretation by a responsible person. The term “driving ability” can be viewed from different perspectives. Various approaches are listed below. Supported by our simulators:

Output of driving data for external evaluation

data analysis

At the end of each drive, a file is generated that records the most important driving data. This data is logged in a table with a temporal resolution up to the maximum frame rate. The table is saved as a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file. Values can also be queried during the simulation via a TCP/IP interface.
CSV Data includes:

Error Log Files
It can be useful to refer not only to the data log files but also to the error log files created at the end of a drive. These files include the driver's name in the filename (if provided; otherwise, "ErrLog") along with the date and time, similar to the data log files. Besides the driver's name and the driving scenario, they do not contain any information that isn't already included in the data log file. However, they are well-suited for an overview, as they only list the driving errors (and some other events) with a clear text description for each.

Options

Motion Sickness Warning

Please note that when using driving simulators, the effect of motion sickness can occur. This arises from conflicting sensory perceptions, where the sense of balance does not align with the visual information.