RFpro
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. 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, 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.
| rFpro | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | rFpro Limited |
| Initial release | 2007 |
| Engine | isiMotor 2 |
| Type | Simulation software |
| License | Commercial software |
| Website | rFpro Website |
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.[1][2] 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,[3] and was later made available for commercial release in 2007. It was originally developed for driver-in-the-loop simulations,[4] but has since been used for autonomous vehicle training as well.
History
[edit]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.[1]
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.[5] British solutions company AB Dynamics acquired rFpro Limited in 2019.[6] In 2020, they partnered with German simulation company Cosin Scientific Software to enable FTire (flexible ring tire model) to run with rFpro.[7][8][9] rFpro launched AV elevate in 2024, an integrated platform created for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicle development.[10]
A number of Formula One teams, past and present, use rFpro,[11][12] including Alpine,[13] Ferrari,[14][15] Force India,[16] Mercedes-AMG,[17] and Sauber.[6][18]
Features
[edit]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.[19][3][20] Alternatively, rFpro's rigid multi-body physics engine can be used, which samples suspension and drive-train at 800 Hz.[21] 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.[4][22]
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.[23][24][25]
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.[14] They also cited the ability to respond to dynamic inputs faster than the driver can detect.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b rFpro - Photo-realistic 3D environments with lidar-accurate road surfaces processed in real time, at mathworks.com
- ^ Paul Jeffrey rFactor Pro, at racedepartment.com, Jul 4, 2017
- ^ a b rfpro.com/about/, archived on March 4th, 2021
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ rFpro acquires market-leading graphics engine to accelerate innovation in driving simulation, by Autocar Pro News Desk, 13 Nov 2017
- ^ a b AB Dynamics acquires simulation software specialist rFpro, by Autocar Pro News Desk, 02 July 2019
- ^ NEW PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES STEP-CHANGE IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICLE SIMULATION AND TESTING, 29/01/2020, at rfpro.com
- ^ FTire and FTire/link at mathworks.com
- ^ FTire physical tire model to run with rFpro driving simulation software
- ^ "Advanced simulation aims to remove testing barrier for autonomous vehicle development". The Engineer. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ^ When Computer Games meet real world Racing, at racecar-engineering.com, April 5, 2011
- ^ History of the Image Space Inc. Software Engine, at imagespaceinc.com
- ^ Alpine (2022-07-25). Going behind the scenes to take a look at our simulator. Retrieved 2025-10-26 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Ferrari F1 Team switches to driving simulator software from rFpro, by Autocar Pro News Desk, 14 Oct 2014
- ^ Hardware – rFactor Pro powered – 6 million dollar Ferrari F1 Simulator, Jan 18, 2012
- ^ Force India Joins Long List of rFactor Pro Clients, November 14, 2009
- ^ "How Does F1 Simulation Work?". Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
- ^ Doherty, Rich (2019-07-18). "Sauber's F1 Team, Alfa Romeo Racing, invest in major simulator upgrade • rFpro". rFpro. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
- ^ Mathews, Albert (2010) Powertrain optimization of a series hybrid racer (thesis), McGill University
- ^ Models, at rfactor-pro.com, archived on Feb 15th 2015
- ^ Design, Develop, Drive rFactor-Pro. Brochure: 2008.
- ^ "NISMO adopts rFpro for its Driver-in-the-Loop Simulation". ATPR. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ^ rFactor Pro – Laser Scanning Heaven, at virtualr.net, July 15, 2011
- ^ Doherty, Rich (2024-11-20). "rFpro Unveils Hyper-Realistic Digital Twin of Las Vegas F1 Circuit". rFpro. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
- ^ Doherty, Rich (2021-07-21). "New Digital Model Created for UK's First Formula E Race Since 2016 • rFpro". rFpro. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
Further reading
[edit]- 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 Archived 2021-11-23 at the Wayback Machine, Automotive Testing Technology International, September 2015