Renault Group's New Large Driving Simulator: The Obstacles Confronted in Its Construction
New Giant Driving Simulator ROADS Opens Near Paris
The Fraunhofer Institute (Fraunhofer ITWM) has unveiled a groundbreaking driving simulator named ROADS, located near Paris. The project, which began in 2023, required a new building for its accommodation and was completed in September 2020.
The ROADS simulator consists of three major elements: an immersive dome, a hexapod, and a steel rolling structure, or gantry, which is the largest part of the simulator, measuring 28 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and weighing 12 tons. The transportation of the gantry was challenging due to its size, requiring a slow-speed convoy and five days to cover the 533-kilometer journey to the Technocentre.
The slab for the ROADS simulator is an exceptional structure, 1.5 meters thick and resting on a network of 55 concrete pillars, one meter in diameter, that extend 30 meters deep. This slab provides an ultra-stable area of nearly 1,400 m2 (35 x 39 meters) on which the simulator can exert its dynamic forces, with lateral and longitudinal acceleration up to 1 G and a displacement speed of 9 meters/second.
A large number of electrical cabinets had to be installed to power the simulator, over a length of 60 meters. To ensure the high performances and proper functioning of the ROADS simulator, an appropriate electrical supply was necessary. The initial layout of the electrical installation had to be changed to respect the maximum lengths of communication cables, resulting in the water-ice and electrical supplies for the cabinets being redirected above a glass bay, more than 6 meters high.
The carbon fiber dome arrived in separate pieces due to its size and was assembled on-site in the simulation area. The dome is equipped with an innovative energy recovery system, similar to that found in electric vehicles. This system recovers a portion of the energy lost during deceleration and braking phases, storing it in supercapacitors for reuse during acceleration phases.
The first movement of the dome occurred in April 2021, symbolizing the full potential of the new giant simulator. Today, ROADS is operational, but its story is just beginning. Serge Diop, the project manager, considers the completion of the ROADS project a great personal satisfaction.
The ROADS simulator project was not without its challenges, but was completed with innovative solutions and great tenacity. The construction of the building for this project was carried out by an associated construction firm, and the slab, in particular, presented a significant challenge due to its specific rigidity requirements to ensure dynamic performance.
In conclusion, the ROADS driving simulator is a remarkable achievement in the field of transportation research, offering unprecedented capabilities and paving the way for future advancements in the industry.
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