A full-motion simulator sits on a motion platform that tilts and lifts the seat as the virtual car brakes, corners and hits bumps, so guests feel the car through their body as well as their hands. A static (non-motion) simulator keeps the same cockpit, wheel, pedals and screens on a fixed frame. Full motion is more immersive; static costs less and suits guests who would rather sit still. Every rig SimsForHire rents is full-motion, at $2,750 per rig per day, plus tax and insurance.
What a motion platform actually does
Our full-motion rigs use SIGMA Integrale 2DOF/3DOF motion platforms with electric actuators. SIGMA's DK2 system, for example, comes in 3- or 4-actuator versions with 2 inches (50 mm) of travel and a 500 lb payload, according to SIGMA Integrale's product page. The actuators are driven by game telemetry, not canned effects.
SIGMA explains how that telemetry becomes movement in its motion layers guide:
- Braking and acceleration become pitch. The seat tilts forward under braking and back under throttle.
- Cornering becomes roll. The seat leans with the car's sideways load as you steer.
- Bumps and curbs become heave. Up-and-down movement reproduces suspension activity, up to about 10 Hz.
Why a small platform can feel like a big car
No platform with a few inches of travel can reproduce a car's real acceleration. Researchers studying driving simulators put it plainly: it is impossible to reproduce a vehicle's accelerations without limits on a physically limited platform (Riera et al., Sensors, 2022, via PubMed Central). Instead, motion cueing algorithms play back the quick, high-frequency parts of the motion and use slow tilts to suggest sustained forces, then "wash out" the platform back to center before it runs out of travel. So motion is a cue that tells your inner ear something is happening, not a replica of the force. That cue is what makes a full-motion lap feel different from a static one.
Side by side
| Full-motion | Static (non-motion) | |
|---|---|---|
| What guests feel | Seat pitches, rolls and heaves with the car, plus wheel force feedback | Wheel force feedback and pedals; the seat stays still |
| Good for | Headline attractions, brand activations, crowds that want the full effect | Tighter budgets and guests who prefer a steady seat |
Which one fits your event
- If the simulators are the main attraction, full motion gives the stronger reaction and the better spectator moment, because people can see the seat move.
- If you are set on a static rig, it still delivers a real wheel, pedals and a proper driving position, but every rig we rent is full-motion; static rigs are something we sell for homes and businesses.
- If you want to see it at scale, look at past events. At the Hard Rock Miami activation at Miami International Autodrome we ran 8 rigs, 6 full-motion and 2 non-motion, for one day with 1,000+ guests (see the case studies).
Our rental fleet is 10 full-motion rigs. Volume discounts apply to the rig subtotal: 5% off for 2–3 rigs, 10% off for 4–5, 15% off for 6–7, 20% off for 8–9 and 25% off for 10 or more. The event minimum is $2,000, plus tax and insurance. Full details are on the pricing page.
Try one before you book
If you want to feel the difference first, ask us about a demo at our showroom, 2920 NW 5th Ave, Suite 105, Miami (shared with Shift Arcade Miami). Delivery is free within 50 miles of Miami; farther than that, we quote delivery on request. We rent for corporate events, private parties, brand activations and trade shows, and we also sell and lease simulators.
Call (754) 228-5654, email hello@simsforhire.com, or request a date. We reply within 24 hours and can book with as little as 24 hours' notice.