Simulating forward motion at VI-grade's Zero Prototypes Day

VI-grade doesn't rest much. New software for its simulations, new simulators to run that software, and new HiL solutions mean there's always something new happening. And much of this was on hand at the company's 2025 North American Zero Prototypes Day, held in Novi, Michigan, over the summer.

Earlier this year, VI-grade announced its latest addition, the HexaRev, a new 6-degree-of-freedom motion platform that was designed to outperform traditional hexapods. The simple design uses six motors “essentially connected directly” to the cockpit without ball screws, gears, belts or chains,” according to David Bogema, senior director of product management at VI-grade, “nothing that can create extra noise or vibration or add mechanical latency to the system.” The HexaRev also has a larger overall motion envelope for combined motions than traditional six-degree systems.