A nonlinear, MPC-based motion cueing algorithm for a high-performance, nine-DOF dynamic simulator platform

The use of dynamical driving simulators is nowadays common in many different application fields, such as driver training, vehicle development, and medical studies. Platforms with different mechanical structures have been designed, depending on the particular application and the cor- responding targeted market. The effectiveness of such devices is related to their capabilities of well reproducing the driving sen- sations, and hence, it is crucial that the motion control strategies generate both realistic and feasible inputs to the platform, to ensure that it is kept within its limited operation space. Such strategies are called motion cueing algorithms (MCAs). In this brief, we describe an MCA based on nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) techniques, for a nine-degree of freedom simulator based on a hexapod mounted on a flat base moved by a tripod, exhibiting highly nonlinear behavior. The algorithm has been evaluated in a simulation environment. Simulation results show that the full exploitation of the working area is achieved, while managing at best all the limitations given by the particular structure and preserving the easiness and intuitiveness of tuning, which is typical of linear MPC-based approaches.