The technology behind the Actuators.

What does DOF, 3DOF, and 6DOF mean?

DOF stands for "Degrees of Freedom"—the number of independent motion axes a Motion Platform can perform. A 3DOFplatform typically moves around the roll, pitch, and heave axes (tilting, pitching, lifting/lowering). A 6DOFplatform adds three translational movements (forward/back, sideways, up/down) to these three rotational axes, allowing it to represent acceleration forces, curbs, and road bumps with much greater detail.

The crucial difference to pure vibration systems: a real motion rig moves the entire seat or cockpit physically in space, rather than just generating vibrations on the seat surface. This creates a sense of balance and acceleration that is much closer to real driving.

Motion travel, torque, and Direct Drive

"Motion Travel" describes the mechanical range of motion of a Motion Platform—how far the platform or actuators can actually move in each direction. Such systems are usually powered by electric linear or rotary actuators, whose power is specified in Nm of torque. The higher the available torque, the more dynamically and precisely fast weight transfers can be mapped.

Regarding steering systems, Direct Drive has established itself as the reference technology: the motor drives the steering axis directly without belts, gears, or transmissions. This reduces mechanical play and transmits unfiltered feedback from the road to the hands. Combined with hydraulic pedals —which replicate the pressure point and braking resistance of a real vehicle via hydraulics instead of springs—it creates a driving feel that is significantly closer to reality than purely electronic systems.

Why latency is crucial

Latency describes the delay between an event in the simulation (e.g., hitting a curb) and the noticeable reaction of the Motion Platform. The lower this latency, the more harmoniously visual, acoustic, and physical stimuli work together. Excessive latency between what the eye sees and what the body feels is one of the main causes of motion sickness in simulators.

Steel frame, rigidity and Motion Sickness

Motion Sickness (simulator sickness) occurs when what the eyes perceive does not match what the vestibular system feels. Low latency, high mechanical rigidity of the frame, and clean motion calibration significantly reduce this effect. A massive steel frame instead of an aluminum or plastic construction ensures that the movements of the actuators are transmitted directly to the seat and cockpit without twisting or resonating — a prerequisite for a harmonious, lag-free feeling of motion.