Simulator telemetry (STING) and head up display designer middleware for the NADS MiniSim driving simulator

Abstract

In-vehicle systems, from infotainment to head up displays, increasingly make use of telemetry data obtained from the vehicle (e.g., speed, location, brake pedal state). Researchers must carefully study the design and use of these dynamic systems to ensure displays and interactions are optimal for driving. Thus, researchers must have tools to test and refine HUDs and integrated systems, especially in driving simulator environments. However, getting live telemetry data to integrate into new interfaces is often very difficult to accomplish, particularly within a simulator as most simulators do not provide this live-feed. Further, HUD systems can be difficult or expensive to build within a research environment, and limited in their flexibility. We present two new middleware systems, for use in the NADS MiniSim simulator, that accomplish both of these feats: (1) STING, a system for reading live data from the simulator and making it available to researchers; and (2) HUD Designer, a system for creating custom dynamic HUD graphics, and displaying them on any of the MiniSim screens, or on an external HUD. Possible use cases for these systems are discussed, along with where to find more information and download the subsystems.