At first this technology simply provided the centering force and other artificial effects such as shaking the wheel in a crash or other vibrations. Įventually manufacturers began to use electric motors in the controllers, in place of springs, in order to achieve a level of force feedback (sometimes abbreviated FFB), first seen in Microsoft's Sidewinder wheel. These spring-based wheels had a reactive torque that increased proportionally only to the steering angle, without regard for the simulated vehicle dynamics. Racing wheels started off as simple plastic wheels hooked up to a rotary potentiometer, which were sprung by springs or bungees.

2.5 Other equipment (not wheels): pedals, shifters, etc.

2.3 Direct-drive bases or wheel + base combos.

Two of the earliest FFB wheels for the consumer PC market were the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel, released in 1997, and the Logitech Wingman Formula Force. It had no force feedback, only some form of spring-based centering resistance proportional to the steering angle. One of the earliest racing wheels for the PC mass market was the Thrustmaster Formula T1, released in 1994.

Racing wheels have been developed for use with arcade games, game consoles, personal computers, and also for professional driving simulators for race drivers. The relatively large range of motion further allows the user to more accurately apply the controls. An analog wheel and pedal set such as this allows the user to accurately manipulate steering angle and pedal control that is required to properly manage a simulated car, as opposed to digital control such as a keyboard.

They are usually packaged with a large paddle styled as a steering wheel, along with a set of pedals for gas, brake, and sometimes clutch actuation, as well as various shifter controls. A race of Forza Motorsport 6, utilizing a racing wheel controller, at the EB Games Expo 2015.Ī racing wheel is a method of control for use in racing video games, racing simulators, and driving simulators.

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