Mitigating the Coriolis Effect in Human Centrifuges by coherent G-misalignment

When coupled with additional degrees of freedom, centrifuge-based motion platforms can combine the agility of an hexapod-basedmotion platform with the ability of sustaining higher Glevels and an extended motion space. This combination of motion characteristics is required for realistic simulation of extreme flight scenarios. However, a false and often nauseating sensation of rotation, the so-called Coriolis effect, induced by the central yaw rotation, combined with the simultaneous rotation of the centrifuge cabin (passive Coriolis effect), or pilot’s head (active Coriolis effect), is the main disadvantage of any centrifuge-based motion platform. For this reason, the majority of human centrifuges are used solely as passive G-trainers in relatively short sessions. This paper discusses the development of a novel motion filter which aims to minimize the undesired Coriolis effects, by allowing for small mismatches in the alignment of pitch or roll coordination. Numerical studies showed that this Coherent Alignment Method (COHAM), is capable of reducing the angular accelerations, while constrained to operate within a region of coherent alignment, the Coherent Alignment Zone. In order obtain data to construct the CAZ region, i.e., establish body tilt thresholds in pitch and roll, an experiment was carried out in the Desdemona motion simulator. Results show higher thresholds in pitch and also higher ambiguity in pitch perception. A follow-up study is planned to further develop and experimentally validate our novel, predictive motion filter, based on the established CAZ region.