Internship | Development of a mechanically and electronically seat-tilting system for the TNO driving simulator

Internship: Development of a Mechanically and Electronically Seat-Tilting System for the TNO Driving Simulator

About this position

Do you want to experience G-forces during enhanced development of a dynamic driving simulator? At TNO Helmond, a dynamic driving simulator is in place that offers an unparalleled testing environment for research, development, and training. From vehicle innovation to driver behavior analysis, this simulator enables users to experience realistic scenarios and gain deep insights into driver behavior. In driving simulation, a hexapod platform is often used to physically convey vehicle movements to the driver. However, the perceived sense of acceleration remains limited due to the platform's small range of motion and speed constraints. By allowing the seat itself to tilt slightly during acceleration and braking, the sensation of G-forces can be enhanced through pressure differentials on the body and changes in posture.

What will be your role?

The key challenge in simulation is to create a very realistic driving experience. To enhance the driving experience, we ask you to explore the development of an active tilting seat as an add-on to a hexapod for enhanced perception of acceleration and deceleration in a driving simulator.

Objective: Design and implement a seat tilting system synchronized with vehicle dynamics provided from the software (with TNO support), enabling the driver to 'feel' acceleration and deceleration through slight forward and backward tilting.

In this internship, you will start to develop a mechanically and electronically functioning tilting system for the seat. The seat is mounted on an existing hexapod and thus provides an additional motion cue on top of the platform’s standard movements. The system must be linked to the vehicle’s acceleration data from the simulation software.

Proposed approach:

• Design a mechanical system (e.g., actuators, hinges, or linear units) to tilt the seat forward and backward by 5–10 degrees.
• Build and physically test this system, ensuring it is suitable for mounting on an existing hexapod.
• Integrate the system with real-time acceleration data from SCANeR using API, UDP, or CAN communication.
• Develop and compare different control strategies (such as direct mapping, delayed filtering, or motion cueing).
• Evaluate the effect of the tilting motion on the driver's subjective experience (e.g., through a short user experience study or expert interviews).

What we expect from you

We require that you are familiar with mechanical design (CAD) and drive systems. You have experience with programming e.g. Python or C++ (please indicate your programming language strengths in your application), and you are willing to learn. Experience with embedded systems, Arduino/ESP32, or real-time control. Interest in human-machine interaction or simulation is a plus. We would like you to start as soon as possible. Starting in September is also possible. The internship fits into a 3 to 5 months project (based on full-time availability). Finally, successful candidates should be able to spend at least 2 days a week in our TNO Helmond, premises to enable you to work with our tools and to have short communication lines.

What you'll get in return

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society.

• Contact
• E-mailadres: frank.engels@tno.nl