Kyle Nelson, of the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research at Deakin University in Australia, wrote to tell us about a motion simulator they're developing that's based on a giant robot arm.

"The CISR haptically-enabled Universal Motion Simulator (UMS) is a state-of-the-art platform for dynamic training and performance analysis. The platform is built on integrated COTS technologies, including a customised anthropomorphic industrial robot, 3D visualisation immersive displays (HMD) and a motion capture and tracking system. A 6 DOF serial kinematic robot permits two axes of continuous rotation, realistic g-force acceleration, same size turning radius independent of motion direction and reduced motion sickness. The UMS overcomes the limitations of current motion technology, by introducing a flexible, modular, high-fidelity motion system that can be used for a variety of dynamic, immersive training applications."

Read on for more video and details about the system.

The CISR news release includes additional photos and info on the UMS. The Deakin University newsroom also has some more info on the machine. For the good stuff, you'll need to check out the paper, "A Simulation-Based Control Interface Layer for a High-Fidelity Anthropomorphic Training Simulator" (PDF format). And, finally, we'll leave you with one more video of the simulator robot in action.