PlatformCommander — An open source software for an easy integration of motion platforms in research laboratories

Abstract

Motion platforms are used to study human behavior and brain function during passive motions. The software for controlling motion platforms is typically developed by the respective laboratories. Such customized, closed source solutions make replications of studies or multi-center collaborations difficult. Therefore, we developed PlatformCommander, an open-source software package for interfacing two often used motion platform models (6DOF2000E., MB-E-6DOF). The software includes a server implementing the interaction with the motion platform and additional devices, and a client application, connecting to the server and controlling experiments. PlatformCommander is ideal for the synchronization of data from different sources with high temporal precision.

Keywords

• Motion platform
• Hexapod
• Psychophysics
• Perception research