Wheels in motion

Professor Saeid Nahavandi will lead research at the new facility. Photo: SIMON FOX

AUSTRALIA’S first motion simulator is set to be built at Deakin University’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation.

Deakin announced the project last week after the university secured $475,000 from the Australian Research Council Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities’ most recent round of funding.

Deakin deputy vice chancellor for research Professor Julie Owens said the simulator would help Australia make significant progress in technology relating to vehicles.

“This project is ground-breaking for Australia and an example of the world-class research Deakin University undertakes – advancing Australia as the global leader in motion simulation and vehicular technologies.”

Professor Owens also applauded Alfred Deakin Professor Saeid Nahavandi along with his team of investigators for their successful bid.

Professor Nahavandi said the simulator will be able to test a range of vehicles.

“The facility will be able to carry among other applications, the entire control compartment of a heavy vehicle, a truck, a large bus, an ambulance, a train or the multi-operator cockpit of a mining vehicle for simulation.

“The facility will allow us to undertake research that will provide significant benefits for virtual vehicle prototyping and testing, driver training and behaviour modelling, motion perception and motion sickness research and secure IISRI as the global leader in motion simulation and vehicular technologies.”

Other key staff who will be helping Professor Nahavandi with the research include Dr Shady Mohamed, Dr Navid Mohajer, Dr Zoran Najdovski and Dr Matthew Watson. They will also look to support local industry and PhD students make the most of the research facility.