The importance of the development phase
Base Performance should be brought into the project at the earliest opportunity to ensure the right validation programme is defined. An initial consultation would help identify the point at which Base Performance's involvement could have the most impact.
Trained simulator development drivers are essential during the vital start-up phase; the period where the simulator is transformed into a workable tool. Setting the right priorities and engineering direction at this stage can see companies realise the true benefits of a simulator - unlimited testing and invaluable data in the most cost efficient way.
The need for qualified development drivers
Simulator development driving requires experience, discipline, confidence, dedication and exceptional communication skills.
While teams should use their regular drivers, we view simulator work as a specialist area in which many drivers lack experience and the suitable qualifications for the initial development and start-up phase.
Once the simulator has been developed into a workable tool, regular test drivers would certainly benefit from coaching, not only in simulators but also working in conjunction with the programme engineers to validate all the simulator hardware elements. Base Performance can provide simulator development drivers on a full-time basis if required, or simply coaching for customers with ongoing simulator driver requirements.
Why use a specialist simulator driver?
There is much debate over whether automotive simulators require specialist drivers to work them. Our qualified view is: yes - at least for the fixed period of the simulator development or start-up phase.