Racing simulator safety comes down to a few predictable issues. The first is simulator sickness (nausea or dizziness from a mismatch between what you see and what your body feels). A small group of people with photosensitive epilepsy need to be careful with screens. The rest is physical setup: a rig rated for the driver's weight, safe entry and exit, and tidy cables. Short sessions, fresh air, breaks and the option to sit out for anyone who prefers it go a long way.
What causes simulator sickness?
The usual explanation is sensory conflict: your eyes say you are moving while your inner ear and muscles say you are sitting still. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's injury research center describes the symptoms as nausea, sweating, vomiting, fatigue and dizziness (CHOP). The NHS gives the same mechanism for ordinary motion sickness: the inner ear sends signals that do not match what the eyes see (NHS).
It can happen quickly. In a study of 100 healthy adults, a two-minute car-rollover simulation on a motion platform measurably increased nearly every simulator-sickness symptom (Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020).
Who is more likely to feel it
Research summarized by CHOP suggests:
- Women tend to report it more often than men.
- Age matters: children rarely feel motion sickness before about age 3, susceptibility peaks around age 9, declines through adulthood and rises again around ages 60 to 65.
- Larger fields of view, sitting closer to the screen, input lag and low frame rates are linked to more reports.
How to reduce it
- Keep first sessions short and let people get used to the rig; CHOP calls habituation the most effective approach.
- Add airflow. In research described by CHOP, a fan reduced visually induced motion sickness by almost half.
- Stop at the first sign of symptoms. Step out, breathe fresh air and look at a fixed point; the NHS lists fresh air and looking at a fixed point as ways to ease symptoms.
- Go easy on heavy meals and alcohol beforehand, also on the NHS list.
Photosensitive epilepsy and screens
Photosensitive epilepsy affects about 1 in 4,000 people, and 3 to 5 in every 100 people with epilepsy. Flashing at 10 to 25 times per second is the most likely trigger, though some people react to rates from 3 to 60 per second, according to Epilepsy Action. It lists video games, including 3D and VR games, as possible triggers and notes that screens taking up more of your field of view may increase risk. Anyone with a history of photosensitive seizures should talk to their doctor before driving a simulator, especially a triple-screen or VR setup.
Physical setup and accessibility
- Weight ratings. Every motion platform has a rated payload. SIGMA Integrale, for example, lists 500 lb for its DK2 system and 800 lb for the DK2+ (DK2, SIGMA).
- Getting in and out. Seats sit low and close to a wheel. Guests with limited mobility can ask staff for a hand getting in and out.
- Cables and space. Power and data cables should be routed away from walkways, with clear space around a moving rig.
- Health conditions. People who are pregnant, have back or neck problems, or have a history of motion sickness should ask before riding a full-motion rig, and can cheer from the sidelines instead.
Questions to ask a rental provider
- Are you insured, and can you send a certificate of insurance for the venue?
- Will trained staff run the rigs for the whole event?
- How do you look after guests who prefer not to ride a motion platform?
- What are your age and height guidelines for each rig?
How SimsForHire runs events
SimsForHire is fully insured in the United States, and certificates of insurance are available on request; insurance is billed with the rental. We deliver, set up, staff and tear down every rig. Our fleet is 10 full-motion rigs on SIGMA Integrale 2DOF/3DOF electric motion platforms, and staff keep an eye on every driver. Learn more about corporate events, private parties, experiences and pricing, or call (754) 228-5654.