Cruden BV

Cruden B.V. is a Dutch motion-based racing simulator designing and manufacturing company based in Amsterdam. Founders of Cruden have been developing professional motion simulators since the 1990s. Their expertise on designing simulators for aerospace industry leads them to transfer this knowledge to marine, automotive and motorsport industry.^[1] Simulator of Cruden is branded as Hexatech.

Team of Cruden is formed of dynamists, software developers, mechanical engineers and project managers. Sales and service operations are located in Canada, Australia, Singapore and South Africa.

Cruden supplies simulators to automotive industry, universities, research institutes, international motorsport companies and global attractions. Also the company produces simulator components and operation software, and planning to expand the production into motion-based rides.

New headquarters is designed to house the manufacturing process of simulators including simulator components and developing new products. Such as, multiple guest interactivity simulator for attractions industry. The building houses all functional teams covering the mechanical design of Cruden components and systems.^[2]

History

Cruden B.V.’s heritage is in professional flight, marine and driving simulators. Originating from Fokker Aircraft Company, the company was previously known as FCS Racing Simulation and was renamed Cruden in 2006.^[3][4]

In 2003, FCS took its flight simulation know-how and developed a racing simulator that combined a motion base with a detailed dynamic vehicle model, motion-cueing software and professional image generation. The resulting simulator proved to be very realistic according to University of Hertfordshire.^[5]

Since 2005, the company started projects in the entertainment, industrial markets, Formula 1 teams. In 2009, Cruden decided to provide service to North American market by starting US operations.

Product

Main Characteristics of Hexatech Simulator

• Driver and/or hardware in the loop simulation tool.
• 6 degrees of freedom^[6]
• Compatible with Matlab/Simulink and integration of simulation models Vi-Grade, IPG CarMaker, veDYNA, CarSim and SIMPACK.
• Vehicle characteristics can be modeled and changed: Wheelbase and track, tires, suspension settings, drive train (engine, gearbox, differentials) aerodynamic settings, steering, brakes and driver aids such as traction control, ABS and others.
• Realistic steering feedback.^[7]
• Image generation with reduced motion blur.
• Real-time CG shadowing and environment mapping.
• 42" monitors or alternatively projectors on a curved screen to fully immerse the driver.
• Seat belt tensioners.^[8]
• Energy efficient electromechanical motion system consumes 5 kWh of electricity.
• Steering systems with original steering wheel.
• Original pedal boxes.
• Projector systems (on and off-board).
• Simulation Software and Content (Cars, tracks, public roads, racing circuit etc.)
• Telemetry analyser, PiToolBox, MoTeC, Bosch Windarab and Magneti Marelli Windtax are the supported interfaces.

Motorsports

Cruden simulators are preferred by motorsport and Formula 1 teams. Companies prefer simulators to reduce their testing budget, try different vehicle settings in a shorter time frame. However, simulators are not only preferred in motorsport for time and budget concerns, the improvements in simulators also lead motorsport companies to focus on simulators. Such as, improved realism, accuracy, providing feedback, improved simulator algorithm.^[9]

Motorsport simulator's image creation and simulator components are also provided by the company as well. This enables to create more realistic atmosphere for the driver inside the simulator.^[10] Simulator can be modified from the demands from the customers from hardware to exterior and interior design to provide experience that is more realistic.

Gadget Show featured the simulator on 8 March 2010 (Season 13, Episode 6) by Jason Bradbury.^[11] He tried the simulator and tried to break lap record Holland’s Zandvoort Circuit in a Formula 1 car. The lap record was 1 minute 19 seconds and he achieved 1 minute 24.7 seconds. He mentioned that simulator was so realistic in terms of mental and physical effects. And also mentioned the technological features the simulator, which are mentioned previously.^[12]

Automotive

Cruden car simulator has the same principles as the motorsport simulators. The simulator for the automotive industry is built by the demands from the clients. Therefore, most of the automotive simulators are not the same and offer different types of simulation. Some of the simulators are embedded to a real car interior and users experience real life conditions during the simulation.

Like motorsports simulator, automotive simulator is capable of transferring data to Telemetry, and previously mentioned simulator software.

The simulator has the opportunity to engage electronic systems such as Bosch ESP and experience the influence on the driving. Moreover, different tire pressures and tire temperatures can be adjusted on the simulator.

Mercedes-Benz used a Cruden simulator during the development of its C-Class to experience different suspension settings, shock absorbers, springs, seats, engine mounts and car structure.^[13] According to Mercedes-Benz, using simulator during the product development stage reduced costs, time and also enabled engineers to accurately identify the different settings on the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz also asked Cruden to develop a ride simulator for the international press to experience different ride settings as passenger during the launch for C-Class. This simulator accommodated two people in seated position.

Education

Cruden offers the simulator systems for education purposes. The simulator offers the same features like the other models and enables students to experience their theories and car models without facing high costs. Another important impact of using simulators in education is the development and improvement of human-machine interfaces.

Engagement of simulators in education is also recognized by the academics and University of Hertfordshire School of Engineering and Technology offers a Cruden simulator for their students to experience and validate their cars models, it is available from the first year undergraduate students.^[14]

And students can transfer the information to simulation software and telemetry analyzers like in the other version. There is no limitation of the simulator due to its educational usage.

The features and characteristics of this simulator is the same with other models and also it can be customized with the demands from customers.

Attractions

The other area of usage for simulator is the attraction and entertainment. The realistic feelings of simulators and accurate feedback during the experience generated a path for attractions and entertainment. The simulator is adapted for attractions and entertainment purposes.

Ferrari World in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi features ten different simulators to experience Ferrari F1 cars and Ferrari models in Scuderia Challenge attraction.^[15] There are two Ferrari F1 simulators drive a F1 car around different circuits inside the simulator. According to Ferrari, these are the same simulators that are used to train their pilots^[16]

The simulators are also available in Vortex Racing in Canada at Vortex Racing in Montreal (Lachine), I-WAY in Lyon, France and Grand Pier in North Somerset, UK. Moreover, simulators for attraction and entertainment are optimized for transportation, installment and consumption of space, these simulators size and mass is reduced by thirty-percentage to satisfy these needs. Moreover, different seat version can be applied like in other versions.

Private Use

The simulator can be purchased for private use. The features of the private use simulator are the same as the other versions. User can transfer information to simulator software and telemetry analyzer. Cars, tracks and any other settings can be changed according to owner’s needs.

Private use enables to extend the business, where individuals willing to experience simulator in their private premises.

References

External links

• Official Website of Cruden B.V
• I-Way World Lyon, France
• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Vortex Racing Montreal, QC Canada
• AOTech, Saint-Pierre-du-Perray, France
• Bhai Tech Advanced Vehicle Science Centre, Mestrino Padova, Italy