Media Advisory: Take a Virtual "Spin" in UB's Driving Simulator

Members of the media are invited to go for a virtual "spin" in the University at Buffalo's driving simulator, which now sports a real front end.

Located in New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the simulator allows students, faculty and local companies to conduct research on:

• safer roadways

• automotive and flight vehicles

• driver behavior, including treatment of accident victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder

• training of young drivers, including those with ADHD

Today (Friday, March 20, 2009) from 3:30-4 p.m., media are invited to photograph -- and personally experience, if they wish -- the full motion simulator in its 3D virtual environment. It's part of an open house that will be held in 106 Furnas Hall on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

The UB simulator consists of the front end of a "car" mounted on a six-degree-of-freedom motion base donated by Moog Inc. It features a steering wheel and accelerator, brake and clutch pedals. While the platform is moving, a 10-by-8-foot display screen shows visualizations that simulate the "ride" that passengers experience.

Great visuals! Great feature story!

Press arrangements: Ellen Goldbaum in the UB Office of University Communications at 645-5000 ext. 1415 and Kevin Hulme (pronounced Hume) on-site.