The Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems continues to deepen its collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), by developing advanced AI technologies to enhance the realism and effectiveness of simulation technology.
Project snapshot
Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems continued its collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2024, helping the development of an AI-based framework for detecting and reducing motion sickness in virtual environments as well as an AI-based Motion Cueing Algorithm for their haptically enabled moon landing shuttle simulator.
Partner: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Researcher: Associate Professor Houshyar Asadi, Dr Tobias Bellmann, Dr Andreas Seefried, Mr Hendrik Scheidel and Dr Mohammad Reza Chalak Qazani
In 2024, Associate Professor Houshyar Asadi continued to strengthen research ties between Deakin University and the world-leading research institute, the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Assoc. Prof. Asadi has played a pivotal role in nurturing the research cooperation agreement between Deakin University and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) that first began in 2019.
Through academic visits and collaboration with DLR, Assoc. Prof. Asadi successfully implemented multiple intelligent algorithms to enhance the realism of motion simulators and virtual reality (VR) environments.
Supported by the joint DAAD-VIC Research Funding Scheme grant with DLR in 2022, Assoc. Prof. Asadi and Dr Tobias Bellmann, Head of the Department of Space Systems Dynamics at DLR, developed an AI-based framework for detecting and reducing motion sickness in virtual environments (i.e. simulator sickness, cybersickness, visually induced motion sickness).
Additionally, they created multiple AI-based Motion Cueing Algorithms (MCAs) for motion simulators.
This project led to significant research outputs and high-quality joint publications, including several IEEE Transactions.
Assoc. Prof. Asadi has also assisted DLR in the development of an MCA for their haptically enabled moon landing shuttle simulator designed for a reduced gravity environment. This system was successfully implemented and tested, resulting in another joint publication.
Furthermore, Assoc. Prof. Asadi and Assoc. Prof. Shady Mohamed are co-supervising a PhD student at DLR, contributing to the development of a new generation of MCAs based on reinforcement learning.
This collaboration has led to multiple high-quality publications, including IEEE Transactions.
Big impact for global research
Since it was established in 2021, the Collaborative Joint Program between Deakin University and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has had a significant impact on both Australia and the global research community.
By developing cutting-edge AI-based Motion Cueing Algorithms (MCAs) and frameworks for motion sickness reduction in virtual environments, the project has contributed to enhancing the realism and effectiveness of motion simulators and virtual environments (for example, Immersive Simulations, Interactive Virtual Worlds, Virtual Reality (VR) environments, and Mixed Reality (MR)).
The ability to detect and mitigate motion sickness in virtual environments (i.e., simulator sickness, cybersickness, visually induced motion sickness) is a critical advancement, improving user comfort and engagement, which is especially important in virtual training, healthcare, manufacturing, and simulations.
This is particularly impactful in industries like aerospace, automotive, and defence, where realistic and comfortable training environments are essential.
Inside the international collaboration
According to Dr Tobias Bellmann, Department Head – Simulation Technology German Aerospace Center – DRL Institute of System Dynamics and Control, the ongoing collaboration between Deakin and DLR provides a unique international collaboration for the advancement of motion simulation and AI research.
“With our great alignment both in research interests as well as laboratory equipment, the
exchange of knowledge and scientist benefits both parties on each side of the globe,” Dr Bellmann said.
“Until now, nearly a dozen joint publications have been generated and joint PhD supervision led to important advancements in the field of motion cueing algorithms.
“By leveraging the expert knowledge of both parties, especially Deakins expertise in motion simulation and human factors, we were able to bundle our resources and advance faster together.
“We are looking forward to expanding the collaboration to new topics in the future.”
Looking ahead
Globally, the program strengthens international research collaboration, particularly in the development of advanced human-centered simulation technologies.
It has led to securing joint PhD co-supervision and high-quality publications in top-tier journals, such as IEEE Transactions, fostering knowledge exchange and elevating the global reputation of both Deakin University and DLR.
The program’s success in addressing complex challenges in motion simulation and virtual environments will drive future innovation, improving training tools, user experiences, and safety standards worldwide.
