VI-grade has launched its most advanced Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) motion platform for vehicle simulation, named HexaRev. The simulator is the latest development in VI-grade’s Full Spectrum Simulator (FSS) product range, with a new mechanical architecture and direct-drive design for high fidelity, system responsiveness, and motion efficiency.
These features combine to make it the most advanced 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DoF) simulator developed by VI-grade to date, and it is suitable for applications including vehicle dynamics and ride comfort development, to NVH, ADAS, and HMI evaluation.
“The launch of HexaRev marks a major step forward in simulation realism,” said Dave Bogema, senior director of product management at VI-grade. “With its innovative mechanical simplicity and unmatched motion performance, HexaRev delivers a whole new level of immersion for vehicle development teams around the world. It’s not just a motion platform, it’s the new benchmark for Driver-in-the-Loop simulation.”
The HexaRev 6-DoF platform is designed to overcome the limitations of some hexapod-based motion systems. While some conventional designs can have a restricted motion envelope during multi-axis input, HexaRev has been designed to overcome this with a new mechanical and kinematic concept that dramatically expands usable motion during complex, combined manoeuvres.
This capability enables development teams to evaluate vehicle behaviour in highly dynamic scenarios, such as braking while cornering or acceleration through a chicane, with greater realism and accuracy.
Key highlights of HexaRev
According to VI-grade, the main developments with the HexaRev system include:
- An improvement of around 50% in motion envelope-to-footprint efficiency over traditional hexapods
- The direct]-drive architecture has no belts, gears or ball screws, resulting in low latency and virtually zero mechanical noise or parasitic vibration
- Mechanical simplicity that increases reliability and minimises maintenance
When combined with VI-grade’s Hyperdock, the HexaRev platform becomes a Full Spectrum Simulator (FSS), capable of delivering synchronised motion, vibration and sound, for a complete sensory experience.
The full HexaRev FSS configuration offers:
- Motion: Accurate, real-time 6-DoF vehicle movement
- Vibration: 7-DoF high-frequency tactile feedback at key driver touchpoints, replicating road texture, engine behaviour, and chassis harmonics
- Sound: Immersive acoustic rendering delivered through cockpit speakers or headphones
These features are fully integrated with VI-grade’s VI-ZeroLatency technology, creating a responsive simulation environment for digital prototypes.
HexaRev joins VI-grade’s range of full-spectrum simulators, which also includes the Compact FSS (launched in 2023) and DiM FSS (2024 – a runner-up in the 2024 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards).
