App AI-based Virtual Race Engineer incl. automated Pitstop Handling

No, it is not Friday, but we have a release, once again packed with exciting new features. Most valuable is the integration of the Monte Carlo traffic simulation for solo races controlled by the Virtual Strategist and you will get a new dashboard in the "System Monitor" with important information about the current session. The machine learning model for strategy evaluation has been improved again. And there are, as always, many additional small changes and additions, which are all described in the Release Notes.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-507
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This weeks release is again packed with new features for strategy development and automated handling during the race. It is now possible to run even a team race with driver swaps under full control of the AI Assistants without any necessary interaction of all of the drivers. This functionality, which is fully supported for all simulators, is demonstrated in this video (with jump marks for the interesting sections):



Beside this exciting stuff, you will also get new info widgets for the "System Monitor", which now can be configured according to your preferences.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-508
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Today there are a bunch of improvements to the recently introduced strategy features and a number of bug fixes. Please see the Release Notes for more details. In addition, the info page in the "System Monitor" has been expanded again. You can now place up to nine info boards that show important information about the current session. In team races, the information is also updated for team members who are not currently in the car, which usual overlays are not able to do.



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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-509
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A lot has happened in the last two weeks. I integrated a completely new, real-time capable architecture fo the data requested from the simulators (still in Alpha, and can be dsiabled, if desired). This will enable exciting new functionalities in the future. Beside that, the Telemetry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench" got a couple of updates, including much more precise event detection and also a full understanding of counter-steering. And many bugs has been fixed for the various simulators - more information can be found in the Release Notes.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-510
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There are three interesting new features this week:

1. The Telemtry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench" can now give acoustic feedback when oversteer or understeer is detected. A short tone of different pitches and volumes reflects the type and intensity of the event.
2. From now on you can configure your own commands and modes for button boxes or stream decks with any defined own functions. This means that aspects in the simulation and any software installed on the PC can be controlled directly via the connected hardware controllers and not just the functions of the simulator controller package itself, as was previously the case.
3. All applications now register the currently running simulation and automatically adjust to it when they are started by "Simulator Startup".

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-511
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
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You can now request the Spotter to give you periodic information about a specific car. Very useful when you want to keep an eye on your toughest opponent. The Spotter then informs you about the gap, lap times, pit stops or accidents, just as he does for the cars directly in front of you and behind you.

As always, you can find many other smaller improvements and bug fixes in the release notes.

Next week, we can welcome the newest member of the Simulator Controller family, the Practice Center. This app will help you to get the most out of your practice sessions, like the Race Center is doing already for your (team) races.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-512
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Release 5.2 brings you a new application in the Simulator Controller family. You can use the "Practice Center" during your training sessions or even during solo races. It provides you with largely the same data and insights as the team-oriented "Race Center" - data about your performance and that of your opponents, but also a wide range of information about the technical data of your car. At the end of a session, you decide which of these data should be transferred to the local database for future evaluations or for strategy development.



Beside that, all applications now detect and document invalid laps an the detection of pitstops "Race Center" and now also in the "Practice Center" has been improved.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-520
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Unfortunately, the data provider for RaceRoom Racing Experience is currently broken. Will be fixed with the next release. However, there is a workaround.

Create a file named "Core Settings.ini" in [Documents]\Simulator Controller\Config. Insert the following lines:

[Simulator]
Data Provider=EXE

 

This week welcomes the second release of the new "Practice Center" and it comes with many fixes, a couple of new reports including a real time telemetry graph, an analyzer for "missing" data and lots of other small improvements. But that's not all, as usual. See the long list of other improvements in the release notes.

And yes, the bug mentioned above has been fixed, and you may revert the workaround.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-521
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This week's release is again packed with new stuff, because as the last functional release for the "Practice Center" for the time being, it brings the long-awaited practice run sheets. These give you hints as to which training sessions would be most useful, at least with regard to completing your telemetry data collection.



And there is a new voice command for the Strategist and the Spotter and in the "Race Center" the route planning has been improved and the next tyre set can now be automatically selected when preparing a pit stop.

As always, there are a few more new features, all of which are mentioned in the release notes.

The project is now going on summer break and there will be no major feature updates until the end of September. During this time, the installation and configuration process will be revised, which is still far too complicated. You may be curious.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-522
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
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Today I'm bringing you the most extensive update in the 3-year history of Simulator Controller in the backpack of my holidays. Here are just the most important changes, for everything else take a look at the very detailed Release Notes.

1. The installation and configuration process has been comprehensively revised and now offers basic and advanced configuration. With the basic configuration, which already includes all assistants with voice control, the package can be put into operation with just a few details, which makes it extremely easy, especially for new users, and significantly lowers the barrier to entry. It now takes less than 5 minutes and you can collect your first experiences on the track.



2. There are a variety of new voice commands to request information about cars ahead or your pursuers, which is extremely helpful, especially for VR users. Names, vehicle class and category, latest lap times, etc. are available.

3. The Spotter now compares your pace with that of other cars in the field and tells you up to which position ahead you could keep up well or are even faster.

4. As a very special treat, the Spotter can now tell you exactly on which part of the track an attack on the car ahead can be successful, or where you have to arm yourself against attacks by your pursuer.

5. "Race Center" and "Practice Center" now also record the sector times and make them available in various reports.

Attention: This version makes extensive changes to the configuration database. Therefore, as always, make a backup. And be sure to read the Update Notes. They describe how you can get access to the new possibilities of "Simulator Setup" with an existing configuration.


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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-530
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Release 5.3.1 is online with many fixes for the new functionalities introduced with the 5.3.0. But there are also some small improvements and additions you will like. Details can be found in the Release Notes, as always.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-531
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Today's Release 5.3.2 once again contains many fixes and quality improvements. It also contains an important update to the automatic handling of tyre sets for an upcoming tyre change. Please take a look at the Release Notes and the Update Notes, since you may have to adjust to the change in your configuration.

Next week, we can welcome a complete new assistant, the Virtual Driving Coach. Stay tuned...

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-532
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Today is a great day. We can welcome a new member in the family of Assistants of Simulator Controller. The new Assistant is your personal Driving Coach. You can discuss any aspect of handling issues, car physics or race strategy with this Assistant. And since this is Assistant is based on GPT technology and uses a large language model, your conversations will be quite natural. Here is a 10-minute video with a typical conversation:



As you may have recognized, the Assistant gives quite general answers at the moment, but this is only the first stage of development. During the next releases, the Driving Coach will get access to more and more data available in Simulator Controller incl. full information about a running session (positions, lap times, and so on), but also telemetry data of your car and - most important - data about the handling of your car, using the telemetry analyzer of "Setup Workbench".

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-540
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
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IMPORTANT: It has been reported, that in some rare situations the installation and update procedure can go into an infinite loop with Simulator Controller starting itself over and over again. This happens epsecially, if your Windows user has been created with Admin privileges. This will be fixed with the next release, but for now you have to manually fix your installation:

1. Download the full installation package using this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l36k...full.zip?rlkey=3iwvjptch4qgtrt1j1ij8h79e&dl=1

2. Open the current [Program] folder ( NOT [Documents]\Simulator Controller, but the folder, where the software has been installed ), and delete everything there.

3. Drop everything from the ZIP file into the now empty [Program] folder. This should do the job.

Sorry for the inconvenience...

 

Today's release brings a lot of new functions and capabilities for the new assistant, the Driving Coach. He now has access to the data of a running session, such as position development, lap times and sector times, even in multiclass races. In addition, he uses the Telemetry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench" and can therefore give you concrete advice on handling problems for adjusting your driving style and, if necessary, suggestions for adjusting the setup. And there are still many minor changes and additions, so read the Release Notes carefully.

The second big change concerns the Telemetry Analyzer of the "Setup Workbench", which has been greatly expanded and can now also detect temperature problems with tyres and brakes and make suggestions for changing the setup.



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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-541
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
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Release 5.4.2 brings many important fixes, especially for the endless loop, some user experienced during installation. It also comes with a couple of improvements on pitstop calculations including the time needed for service and repairs, and also - finally - better support for monitors with activated DPI scaling.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-542
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
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The main feature of this week is the initial integration with the Google Cloud Services. You now are able to use the famous Google voices for the Assistants, beside the already available Windows based speech generation and the support for Azure Cognitive Services. Further integration with the Google Cloud in the next releases will make Google speech recognition available and will also provide you with the opportunity to use the Google Generative AI services as a foundation for the Virtual Driving Coach. Google provides a free contingent for most of its services similar to Azure. Therefore we have a good alternative here.

And I also created a short video for all newcomers which demonstrates how to setup Simulator Controller within a couple of minutes. Sure, you will have to come back later, to get to the more complex stuff, but you will be up n running with a few clicks, I promise.



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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-543
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Today we're completing support for Google Speech Services. Speech recognition is now also available. In addition, there is a new set of settings in the "Session Database". With their help, the autonomy of the assistants can be fine-tuned to give them the freedom to make decisions independently and take action accordingly, without asking the driver for consent. I recommend only using these settings if enough data has been collected and stored in the "Session Database" so that the assistant's decisions, e.g. in the event of an upcoming change in the weather, are appropriately based.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-544
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
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Many small improvements are part of release 5.4.5. Take notes in the "Practice Center" about changes or special conditions or experience the new model additions of OpenAI for the "Driving Coach", to name a few. And, thanks to our Discord community member @SlatMars, who is currently working on a translation for the French language, you can experience large parts of the user interface in French. The translations will be completed with the next releases, including the grammars for the Assistants.

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Download: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller#latest-release-build
Release Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Release-Notes
Update Notes: https://github.com/SeriousOldMan/Simulator-Controller/wiki/Update-Notes#release-545
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/5N8JrNr48H
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/simulatorcontroller
Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GV86ZPS95SL6