Abstract: A high-fidelity simulation facility used primarily for human factors research in driving worlds is described. Driving simulation has always been plagued by the struggle to achieve a reasonable amount of realism. It has image quality requirements that are as demanding as those of low-altitude flying simulation. In addition, driving simulators have computer intensive requirements for update rates and image delays to avoid loss of operator control. The wrap- around simulator project (WASP) was initiated at the University of Minnesota with the goal of creating a unique high-fidelity driving simulator that addressed the problems associated with earlier simulators. It was designed mainly for use in human factors research inside driving environments, though the possibility of expanding it to limited flying worlds exists. The resulting facility is capable of providing a 360 degree horizontal field of view to subjects, hence its name. It uses powerful graphics and data collection computers to maintain desired image quality, update frequency, image delay, and data collection frequency characteristics. The WASP is currently being used by human factors researchers to examine phenomena that were formerly unobservable in most driving simulators. !21
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