rFpro, originally rFactor Pro, is a driving simulation software used by professional motor racing teams, car manufacturers, and tier 1 suppliers for advanced driver-assistance systems, self-driving cars and vehicle dynamics.Paul Jeffrey rFactor Pro, at racedepartment.com, Jul 4, 2017 The software was a project created within an undisclosed Formula One team, using the code from Image Space Incorporated's racing simulator rFactor as a base,rfpro.com/about/, archived on March 4th, 2021 and was later made available for commercial release in 2007. It was originally developed for driver-in-the-loop simulations, but has since been used for autonomous vehicle training as well.
History Developed using the code Image Space Incorporated's racing simulator rFactor as a base, rFpro started as an internal project in 2007 within an undisclosed Formula One team and was later made available for commercial release. The software is developed by rFpro Limited, based in Wiltshire, England.rFpro - Photo-realistic 3D environments with lidar-accurate road surfaces processed in real time, at mathworks.com
In 2017, rFpro Limited joined forces with Image Space Incorporated and acquired assets from their isiMotor physics engine and gMotor graphics engine, which it had been licensing for use in rFpro since its initial release.rFpro acquires market-leading graphics engine to accelerate innovation in driving simulation, by Autocar Pro News Desk, 13 Nov 2017 British solutions company AB Dynamics acquired rFpro Limited in 2019.AB Dynamics acquires simulation software specialist rFpro, by Autocar Pro News Desk, 02 July 2019 In 2020, they partnered with German simulation company Cosin Scientific Software to enable FTire (flexible ring tire model) to run with rFpro.NEW PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES STEP-CHANGE IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICLE SIMULATION AND TESTING, 29/01/2020, at rfpro.comFTire and FTire/link at mathworks.comFTire physical tire model to run with rFpro driving simulation software rFpro launched AV elevate in 2024, an integrated platform created for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicle development.
A number of Formula One teams, past and present, use rFpro,When Computer Games meet real world Racing, at racecar-engineering.com, April 5, 2011History of the Image Space Inc. Software Engine, at imagespaceinc.com including Alpine, Ferrari,Hardware – rFactor Pro powered – 6 million dollar Ferrari F1 Simulator, Jan 18, 2012 Force India,Force India Joins Long List of rFactor Pro Clients, November 14, 2009 Mercedes-AMG, and Sauber.
Features rFpro features a 120 Hz graphics engine, a library of high definition laser scanned tracks and roads, and an infrastructure in which users can plug their in-house vehicle physics through a Simulink or a C/C++ interface.Mathews, Albert (2010) Powertrain optimization of a series hybrid racer (thesis), McGill UniversityModels, at rfactor-pro.com, archived on Feb 15th 2015 Alternatively, rFpro's rigid multi-body physics engine can be used, which samples suspension and drive-train at 800 Hz.Design, Develop, Drive rFactor-Pro. Brochure: 2008. rFpro includes a tool called TerrainServer, which can feed the LiDAR data with a 1 cm resolution to a vehicle model running in real time up to 5 kHz.Dempsey, M., Fish, G., & Beltran, J. G. D. (2015) High fidelity multibody vehicle dynamics models for driver-in-the-loop simulators, in Proceedings of the 11th International Modelica Conference, Versailles, France, September 21–23, 2015 (No. 118, pp. 273-280). Linköping University Electronic Press.
The library includes digital reproductions of public roads, proving grounds, and laser-scanned racing circuits, some of which are locations used in major racing series including Formula One and Formula E.rFactor Pro – Laser Scanning Heaven, at virtualr.net, July 15, 2011
In switching to rFpro for its simulator software in 2014, Scuderia Ferrari cited the high fidelity of the reproduced track surface, with an accuracy better than 1 millimetre in Z (height) and 1 centimetre in X and Y (position), which represented a ten-fold improvement over their previous solution.Ferrari F1 Team switches to driving simulator software from rFpro, by Autocar Pro News Desk, 14 Oct 2014 They also cited the ability to respond to dynamic inputs faster than the driver can detect.
See also Modelica Powertrain rFactor rFactor 2
References
Further reading Nair, V. G., & Wishart, J. (2018) A study of driving simulation platforms for automated vehicles CAV Final Report, Arizona State University. Rachel Evans Quantum leaps , Automotive Testing Technology International, September 2015
External links https://www.rfpro.com https://twitter.com/rfpronews