Kuka has joined forces with Heli Aviation and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics to produce the Heli Trainer as an alternative to traditional motion simulators.
A Guimbal Cabri G2 cockpit, which can accommodate two people, is attached to a KUKA 500kg payload, 6-axis robot, the only model in the world that's certified to carry passengers. It is the same type used for the Robocoaster, a robot fitted with rollercoaster-style seats.
According to Kuka, the Heli Trainer means trainees not only require less time to develop a feel for movements and better understand the consequences of their flight control actions, but also perform manoeuvres in a safe environment with a steeper learning curve.
Unlike other motion simulators, the Heli Trainer offers a larger workspace and range of motions thanks to the robot's 6-axis capabilities. A linear traversing axis can be added in order to simulate landing and take-off exercises.
“The project's aim has been to develop a realistic simulator that enables pilot training to be of the highest quality yet remain highly cost-effective and safe,” explained Gary Taylor, Kuka's UK aerospace manager. “What makes the Heli Trainer unique is its ability to reproduce the movements of complex real systems in the smallest of spaces so that the pilot thinks he is in a real aircraft.”
www.kuka.com
