Simulation technology allows people to experience a wide array of activities in safe, replicable environments, expanding training and entertainment opportunities. Many industries have taken notice, driving the simulator market to $18.5 billion in 2023 with expectations that it will continue growing.

In this edition of The AV Take blog series, we talk to Jason Karol, associate business development manager for Professional AV Solutions & Connected Ecosystems at Panasonic Connect, about how simulators are currently used and how Panasonic technology is powering the industry forward.

Q: How is simulation technology used to expand accessibility to users who may otherwise not have access to these activities? 

Karol: Simulation is a rapidly growing segment, with expanding technologies matching increased demand for training, entertainment, and accessibility. The beauty of simulation is that these environments are low/no risk. This means that we can simulate hazardous conditions to allow people like airplane pilots and heavy equipment operators to prepare for dangerous and unpredictable conditions without the real-world implications of failure. The more continued exposure to a wide range of simulated environments and hazards provided to people making split-second decisions, the more predictable and reliable their responses become. In turn, this can lead to a safer and more reliable customer experience.

On a lighter note, we can simulate various outdoor activities, such as golf, so that aficionados can enjoy their passion — whether it’s 80 degrees and sunny or 35 degrees and rainy. Our golf simulation partners continue to add more and more iconic golf courses to their simulation experience so that even a “weekend warrior” can experience what it’s like to play at Pebble Beach or Torrey Pines. Simulation offers accessibility to golf 24/7 at hundreds of courses around the world while removing the physical strain of walking an 18-hole golf course, not to mention the hefty greens fees once you get there. Golf was one of the first sports to be realistically simulated, and our simulation partners are continuing to expand to other sports, such as soccer, baseball, hockey, and darts.

Q: How can simulation technology be used as a training tool or as an addition to in-person/on-site practice? 

Karol: Let’s start with flight simulation.

Flight simulators provide a wide range of benefits, but two aspects jump out. First is cost: While the upfront cost of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) is quite high, an hour of flight time in an FFS is estimated to be approximately 22 times less expensive than the same hour of real-world flight training. Second, flying in a simulated environment removes real-world risk while simulating real-world dangers.

Moving over to driving simulators (and we will lump in heavy equipment operation as well), the benefits of utilizing driving simulators are similar to those of flight simulators.

Driving sims remove real-world risk while accurately depicting dangerous situations in which the driver has a split-second to make a decision. Imagine that you are a firefighter driving a ladder truck at a high speed. When you approach an intersection, a civilian vehicle enters the roadway. That situation cannot be truly practiced in real life but can be simulated in a simulator over and over.

Golf and sports simulation is also being widely utilized as a training tool for athletic improvement. When a golfer wants to improve their game, they would normally schedule a lesson at a driving range or golf course with a golf pro. That type of training environment is being replaced by golf simulators, which are now used by golf pros and training venues across the country. Launch monitors provide instant data and feedback on every swing, giving trainers an additional source of information that they can utilize to tweak a swing path or even select the right set of clubs for a player.

Q: How does Panasonic Connect enhance the immersive experience of simulation technology?

Karol: Panasonic provides best-in-class visual systems for a host of simulation markets, with even more to come!

Panasonic’s VMZ series of projectors is a staple in the golf simulation industry, offering 5,200–7,000 lumen output options in a compact and lightweight footprint. An optimized throw ratio of 1.09–1.77:1 is right in the sweet spot for most golf simulator environments, and a 20% horizontal lens shift capability allows the projector offset to negate shadowing in low-ceiling environments or with taller-than-average players. Along with these features, Panasonic is known across the industry for the reliability and durability of our projectors, allowing entertainment venues to include golf simulations without concern for projection failure.

Golf Sim is also going 4K! Panasonic is ready to address the Golf Simulator move to 4K visuals with our FRQ series, offering 5,200 and 6,000-lumen illuminance options in stunning 4K at 120hz. Our FRQ series utilizes DLP technology to provide incredible color contrast, along with a 1.46–2.93:1 throw ratio. A horizontal lens shift of 34% again offers installation flexibility, all within a compact footprint.

We’re equally excited about our new REQ/REZ series of projectors, which have become a hit in various simulation markets, such as ship bridge simulation. Across the industry, there has been a huge desire for high-lumen output DLP projectors, and Panasonic has provided just that! The REQ/REZ series has options for 8,000–15,000 illuminance options, paired with 8 interchangeable lensing options with throw ratios between .308 and 6.6:1. Our REQ series offers stunning 4K visuals at 120hz, and both REQ and REZ series output 2K visuals at 240hz, with latency of 6ms or less. DLP technology provides a high level of color contrast and is an extremely robust and reliable projection platform. Our REQ/REZ series is also optimized for curved-screen applications, making it a true game-changer in the simulation world.

On the flat-panel display side, Panasonic hosts a robust array of flat-panel display options to meet industry needs for flight training devices and driving simulators. Panasonic offers four families of flat-panel displays, rated at 16 to 24 hours of daily use. All Panasonic displays output simulation content in 4K, with 400–700 candela brightness options. Anti-glare/anti-haze coatings round out their ability to perform flawlessly in multiple simulation environments.

Q: Does this make the simulation more effective? 

Karol: Simulation is only as good as the eye perceives, and any hiccup in the visual system drastically reduces the user experience. Our mission is to provide visual systems that captivate and immerse the user within the content and transport them to the golf course, the skies, or the open highway. 

Q: Are there any other areas you’d like us to cover?

Karol: The proper real-world simulation experience oftentimes cannot be achieved by using virtual reality glasses for several reasons — the lack of physical controls and interfaces (golf clubs, baseball bats, etc.) reduces the real-world experience, and VR is often an individualized experience so the interaction with an instructor is not easily achieved. This is why we’re a big proponent of a hybrid simulation environment — it is with this environment that the end user can have the best of both worlds.

Immersion in content is everywhere! From live events to classrooms, training environments, and entertainment venues, the idea of immersion is here to stay. Panasonic is proud to provide visual systems that continue to drive this industry, and we are excited for the growth of simulation as it becomes more and more relevant in our daily lives.

Panasonic Connect Immerses Users Through Simulation Technology

Whether (virtually) hitting the links or taking flight, simulation technology users expect realistic experiences. By providing the best projectors and displays, Panasonic Connect powers simulators, creating realistic environments that fully transport users and provide them with unique, immersive experiences.