How a Humanoid Robot Brings the Full Force of Racing Simulators to an Ordinary Chair
Full motion racing simulators deliver that stomach-dropping feeling of speed and cornering, yet most setups carry prices that put them out of reach for regular players. Researchers saw an opportunity in the growing number of humanoid robots already available in some homes and labs. Their solution carries the name HumanoidTurk and centers on a Unitree G1 robot that sits right behind whoever is playing.
Players simply sit on an ordinary chair, put on a VR headset, and launch Assetto Corsa on their computer. There are little balls on the chair that the robot uses to track its exact position with a depth camera installed on it. The game then feeds real-time force data, such as acceleration, braking, and turns, to the robot. Hands on the back of the chair, the robot then moves the seat forward, backward, or side to side to match those forces exactly.
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Testing helped the team determine that applying a filter to smooth out the game signals was the best method to minimize jarring or jerky motions in the robot. In a bigger study 16 people took part, comparing 4 different setups. Some simply drove normally, receiving no further feedback. Others used just the game controller for some vibrations. One group had the robot moving the chair in sync with the controller input, while another had a person just shifting the chair for them.
People rated the overall quality higher in both practical and fun aspects. Nonetheless, the robot’s continual changes made some feel fatigued after prolonged sessions. A few people reported that the increased motion in the VR headgear made them feel more uncomfortable. This approach means people who already own a compatible humanoid robot gain access to advanced motion feedback without buying separate expensive hardware. Limitations exist, of course, especially around comfort during extended play. Even so, the project points to fresh ways humanoids can serve in entertainment beyond their usual tasks.
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How a Humanoid Robot Brings the Full Force of Racing Simulators to an Ordinary Chair
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