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Autonomous HMI (Arduino + Fanatec Force Feedback Rig)

An integrated autonomous driving simulation testbed linking physical Arduino controls, ProtoPie HMI animations, and real-time Fanatec steering motor actuation with dynamic force feedback hazard warnings.

Fig. 1. Arduino trigger initiating autonomous navigation in ProtoPie while the Fanatec wheel executes synchronized steering and force feedback alerts.
Fig. 1. Arduino trigger initiating autonomous navigation in ProtoPie while the Fanatec wheel executes synchronized steering and force feedback alerts.

01 problem

Evaluating driver handoff and autonomous steering interactions needs realistic tactile feedback. Static digital screen prototypes cannot convey physical steering wheel torque or emergency hazard resistance, and dedicated automotive simulation testbeds are too slow to reconfigure for early UX testing.

02 approach

Configured an Arduino-based physical trigger switch to initiate autonomous driving test scenarios over serial communication.

Built a custom Node.js middleware bridge plugin integrating serialport, Socket.IO, and native DirectInput force feedback wrappers.

Designed the autonomous cluster UI in ProtoPie Studio with dynamic route navigation, lane-centering state changes, and visual hazard warnings.

Linked ProtoPie timeline cues to send real-time steering angle offsets and high-frequency force feedback rumble alerts to the Fanatec wheel base.

03 stack

prototype ProtoPie Studio · Autonomous Cluster HMI
host ProtoPie Connect · Socket.IO relay
hardware Arduino · physical trigger switch
actuation Fanatec Wheel Base · DirectInput force feedback
bridge Node.js middleware · fanatec-ffb-bridge plugin
repo GitHub · jkuts/fanatec-ffb-bridge

04 outcome

Physical button triggers UI navigation while ProtoPie route logic autonomously drives Fanatec wheel angular steering in real time
Triggered dynamic torque resistance and vibration haptics on the wheel corresponding to on-screen hazard detection alerts

The testbed proved that designers can prototype and evaluate physical autonomous driving mechanics (including motorized self-steering and haptic hazard warnings) using off-the-shelf sim-racing hardware synced directly to ProtoPie. That removes the need for custom vehicle firmware in early design phases.

05 artifacts

github github.com/jkuts/fanatec-ffb-bridge
video youtu.be/yoWa4urysgM