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SINGAPORE : Even before the Singapore Formula One race hits the roads in September, fans can have a ride on the "track", all thanks to a simulator designed by Nanyang Polytechnic, modelled after the Singapore GP track.
On first sight, the simulator looks like any other. But on closer inspection, one can see the familiar Singapore landmarks, like the Esplanade and Singapore Flyer.
It is the work of eight students from Nanyang Polytechnic's School of Digital and Interactive Media.
It is part of their final year project, and it took them some three months to come up with the 3D version of the Marina Bay street circuit.
Rudy Abdul Ghafar, Student, School of Digital and Interactive Media, Nanyang Polytechnic, said: "It's not really easy because we need to take accurate measurements and actual photographs... from the actual building."
It is a joint collaboration between the polytechnic and Singapore GP, which provided the technical specifications of the track.
Along the route, the boys also learned more about the sport.
Eric Lim, Student, School of Digital and Interactive Media, Nanyang Polytechnic, said: "I learned about how the race started and what the driver needs to know before he gets into the racing car and the road signs he has to look out for, and lastly the speed limit that he has to check."
The public can try their hands at the simulator at road shows in June.
Besides the realistic scenery, there is another interesting feature about the simulator - motion feedback, where every hump, bump and vibration on the track can be felt by the driver.
The real F1 drivers may even try the simulator to familiarise themselves with the Singapore track.
Meanwhile, it is still work in progress for the team.
Olivier Thibaut, Lecturer, School of Digital and Interactive Media, Nanyang Polytechnic, said: "We are going to work on the night ambience from the track since the race is going to happen at night.
"Now we know what is going to be the night set-up, the lighting system in use for the race... we are again going to look at our reference, and try to reproduce it as accurately as can be."
The F1 project is just one of more than 160 on display at the school's graduation show. - CNA/ms
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