Mitigating Coriolis Effects in Centrifuge Simulators Through Allowing Small, Unperceived G-Vector Misalignments

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Coherent Alignment Method (COHAM), a motion filter that reduces Coriolis effects in centrifuge simulators by allowing small G-vector misalignments, thereby decreasing discomfort and sickness during high G maneuvers.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel motion filter, COHAM, which mitigates Coriolis effects by tolerating minor G-vector misalignments, improving simulator comfort and reducing nausea.

Findings

COHAM reduces cabin angular accelerations within the human perception threshold.

Experimental results show decreased sickness, dizziness, and discomfort with COHAM.

Simulations confirm the effectiveness of the G-vector misalignment approach.

Abstract

When coupled with additional degrees of freedom, centrifuge-based motion platforms can combine the agility of hexapod-based platforms with the ability to sustain higher G-levels and an extended motion space, required for simulating extreme maneuvers. However, the false and often nauseating sensations of rotation, by Coriolis effects induced by the centrifuge rotation in combination with rotations of the centrifuge cabin or the pilot's head, are a major disadvantage. This paper discusses the development of a motion filter, the Coherent Alignment Method (COHAM), which aims at reducing Coriolis effects by allowing small mismatches in the G-vector alignment, reducing cabin rotations. Simulations show that as long as these mismatches remain within a region where humans perceive the G-vector as 'coherent', the Coherent Alignment Zone (CAZ), the cabin angular accelerations can indeed be reduced. COHAM was tested in a high G-maneuver task with a fixed CAZ threshold obtained in a previous study. It was experimentally compared to an existing motion filter, using metrics such as sickness, comfort and false cues. Results show that sickness, dizziness and discomfort are reduced, making the centrifuge sessions more bearable. It is recommended to further improve the filter design and tuning, and test it with more fighter pilots.