ABSTRACT
A bobsled training simulator developed at UC Davis during 1991–1995 and used to train the US bobsled team for the 1992 and 1994 Olympics is described. It is similar to flight simulators used to train commercial aviation pilots, and addresses four human sensory systems; visual, vestibular, tactile and auditory. The synchronization of the various engineering subsystems which furnish these four sensory inputs provides much of the design challenge, since time and other mismatches between them can result in a non-realistic experience, ineffective training and even motion sickness. The fact that everything must be computed in real time means that virtually any variable of interest can be chosen for feedback to the driver to be used in improving driving strategies. Because of the large expense of training at real tracks, the simulator can be a cost effective means of providing large amounts of training, even during the summer, and of practicing risky driving strategies in absolute safety.
