{{Short description|Driving simulation software}} {{Lowercase title|italic=yes}} {{Infobox software | name = ''rFpro'' | logo = center|250px|''rFpro'' logo | developer = rFpro Limited | released = 2007 | engine = isiMotor 2 | genre = Simulation software | license = Commercial software | website = [https://rfpro.com/ rFpro Website] }}'''''rFpro''''', originally '''''rFactor Pro''''', is a driving simulation software used by professional motor racing teams, car manufacturers, and tier 1 suppliers for advanced driver-assistance systems, self-driving cars and vehicle dynamics.<ref name="mathworks"/><ref>Paul Jeffrey [https://www.racedepartment.com/threads/rfactor-pro.137888/ rFactor Pro], at racedepartment.com, Jul 4, 2017</ref> The software was a project created within an undisclosed Formula One team, using the code from Image Space Incorporated's racing simulator ''rFactor'' as a base,<ref name="about2021">[https://web.archive.org/web/20210304053324/https://www.rfpro.com/about/ rfpro.com/about/], archived on March 4th, 2021</ref> and was later made available for commercial release in 2007. It was originally developed for driver-in-the-loop simulations,<ref name="Dempsey2015" /> but has since been used for autonomous vehicle training as well.
==History== Developed using the code Image Space Incorporated's racing simulator ''rFactor'' as a base, ''rFpro'' started as an internal project in 2007 within an undisclosed Formula One team and was later made available for commercial release. The software is developed by rFpro Limited, based in Wiltshire, England.<ref name="mathworks">[https://www.mathworks.com/products/connections/product_detail/rfpro.html rFpro - Photo-realistic 3D environments with lidar-accurate road surfaces processed in real time], at mathworks.com</ref>
In 2017, rFpro Limited joined forces with Image Space Incorporated and acquired assets from their isiMotor physics engine and gMotor graphics engine, which it had been licensing for use in ''rFpro'' since its initial release.<ref>[https://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/rfpro-acquires-market-leading-graphics-engine-accelerate-innovation-driving-simulation-27039 rFpro acquires market-leading graphics engine to accelerate innovation in driving simulation], by Autocar Pro News Desk, 13 Nov 2017</ref> British solutions company AB Dynamics acquired rFpro Limited in 2019.<ref name="ABDjuly2019">[https://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/ab-dynamics-acquires-simulation-software-specialist-rfpro-43413 AB Dynamics acquires simulation software specialist rFpro], by Autocar Pro News Desk, 02 July 2019</ref> In 2020, they partnered with German simulation company Cosin Scientific Software to enable FTire (flexible ring tire model) to run with ''rFpro''.<ref>[https://www.rfpro.com/ftire-partnership-brings-step-change-in-vehicle-simulation/ NEW PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES STEP-CHANGE IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICLE SIMULATION AND TESTING], 29/01/2020, at rfpro.com</ref><ref>[https://www.mathworks.com/products/connections/product_detail/ftire.html FTire and FTire/link] at mathworks.com</ref><ref>[https://vimeo.com/387928110 FTire physical tire model to run with rFpro driving simulation software]</ref> ''rFpro'' launched AV elevate in 2024, an integrated platform created for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicle development.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=Advanced simulation aims to remove testing barrier for autonomous vehicle development |url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/advanced-simulation-aims-to-remove-testing-barrier-for-autonomous-vehicle-development |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=The Engineer |language=en}}</ref>
A number of Formula One teams, past and present, use ''rFpro'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110408114433/https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/technology/when-computer-games-meet-the-real-world/ When Computer Games meet real world Racing], at racecar-engineering.com, April 5, 2011</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150131043113/http://imagespaceinc.com/software.php History of the Image Space Inc. Software Engine], at imagespaceinc.com</ref> including Alpine,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwX-47cEM4I |title=Going behind the scenes to take a look at our simulator |date=2022-07-25 |last=Alpine |access-date=2025-10-26 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Ferrari,<ref name="Ferrari2014" /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120121074228/https://www.bsimracing.com/2012/01/hardware-rfactor-pro-powered-6-million-dollar-ferrari-f1-simulator/ Hardware – rFactor Pro powered – 6 million dollar Ferrari F1 Simulator], Jan 18, 2012</ref> Force India,<ref>[http://www.virtualr.net/force-india-joins-long-list-of-rfactor-pro-clients Force India Joins Long List of rFactor Pro Clients], November 14, 2009</ref> Mercedes-AMG,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Does F1 Simulation Work? |url=https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/how-does-f1-simulation-work |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team |language=en-US}}</ref> and Sauber.<ref name="ABDjuly2019" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Rich |date=2019-07-18 |title=Sauber's F1 Team, Alfa Romeo Racing, invest in major simulator upgrade • rFpro |url=https://rfpro.com/saubers-f1-team-alfa-romeo-racing-invest-in-major-simulator-upgrade/ |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=rFpro |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Features== ''rFpro'' features a 120 Hz graphics engine, a library of high definition laser scanned tracks and roads, and an infrastructure in which users can plug their in-house vehicle physics through a Simulink or a C/C++ interface.<ref>Mathews, Albert (2010) [https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/rj430522r Powertrain optimization of a series hybrid racer] (thesis), McGill University</ref><ref name="about2021"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150215020620/https://rfactor-pro.com/Models.aspx Models], at rfactor-pro.com, archived on Feb 15th 2015</ref> Alternatively'', rFpro''<nowiki/>'s rigid multi-body physics engine can be used, which samples suspension and drive-train at 800 Hz.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090228123431/https://www.rfactor-pro.com/rFactorPro/Summary.aspx Design, Develop, Drive] rFactor-Pro. Brochure: 2008.</ref> ''rFpro'' includes a tool called TerrainServer, which can feed the LiDAR data with a 1 cm resolution to a vehicle model running in real time up to 5 kHz.<ref name="Dempsey2015">Dempsey, M., Fish, G., & Beltran, J. G. D. (2015) [https://2015.international.conference.modelica.org/proceedings/html/submissions/ecp15118273_DempseyFishDelgadobeltran.pdf High fidelity multibody vehicle dynamics models for driver-in-the-loop simulators], in Proceedings of the 11th International Modelica Conference, Versailles, France, September 21–23, 2015 (No. 118, pp. 273-280). Linköping University Electronic Press.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NISMO adopts rFpro for its Driver-in-the-Loop Simulation |url=https://www.autotechpr.com/news/nismo-adopts-rfpro-for-its-driver-in-the-loop-simulation |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=ATPR |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The library includes digital reproductions of public roads, proving grounds, and laser-scanned racing circuits, some of which are locations used in major racing series including Formula One and Formula E.<ref>[http://www.virtualr.net/rfactor-pro-laser-scanning-heaven rFactor Pro – Laser Scanning Heaven], at virtualr.net, July 15, 2011</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Rich |date=2024-11-20 |title=rFpro Unveils Hyper-Realistic Digital Twin of Las Vegas F1 Circuit |url=https://rfpro.com/rfpro-unveils-hyper-realistic-digital-twin-of-las-vegas-f1-circuit/ |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=rFpro |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Rich |date=2021-07-21 |title=New Digital Model Created for UK's First Formula E Race Since 2016 • rFpro |url=https://rfpro.com/new-digital-model-created-for-uks-first-formula-e-race-since-2016/ |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=rFpro |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In switching to ''rFpro'' for its simulator software in 2014, Scuderia Ferrari cited the high fidelity of the reproduced track surface, with an accuracy better than 1 millimetre in Z (height) and 1 centimetre in X and Y (position), which represented a ten-fold improvement over their previous solution.<ref name="Ferrari2014">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024107/https://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/ferrari-f1-team-switches-driving-simulator-software-rfpro-6554 Ferrari F1 Team switches to driving simulator software from rFpro], by Autocar Pro News Desk, 14 Oct 2014</ref> They also cited the ability to respond to dynamic inputs faster than the driver can detect.
==See also== * Modelica * Powertrain * ''rFactor'' * ''rFactor 2''
==References== <references />
==Further reading== * Nair, V. G., & Wishart, J. (2018) [https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/211003017.pdf A study of driving simulation platforms for automated vehicles] CAV Final Report, Arizona State University. * Rachel Evans ''[https://www.vi-grade.com/dynatc/attachments-0542-361e/Automotive%20Testing%20Technology%20oct2015.pdf Quantum leaps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123234058/https://www.vi-grade.com/dynatc/attachments-0542-361e/Automotive%20Testing%20Technology%20oct2015.pdf |date=2021-11-23 }}'', Automotive Testing Technology International, September 2015
==External links== * https://www.rfpro.com * https://twitter.com/rfpronews
{{Image Space Incorporated games}}
Category:Automotive software Category:Driving simulators Category:Racing simulators Category:Simulation software Category:Industrial software