12M views · Oct 17, 2022 · 4:40 · 2 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2024–2025
Tom Scott visits the Swiss Military Museum to see the last surviving 1970s tank-driving simulator. It uses a real camera moving over a miniature model landscape rather than any computer graphics.
Why Hacker News points people here: Recommended as a great example of early VR and pre-computer simulation.
“This tank simulator from the 1970s is a great example of early VR”HN comment, 2024
“This tank simulator from the 1970s is a great example of early VR”
1970s tank simulator as an early VR example
Using VR goggles that have no capability of viewing anything VR makes them just regular goggles though? This tank simulator from the 1970s is a great example of early VR: this video I wonder if there's anything earlier..
“reminds me a bit of two Tom Scott videos”
Tank simulator driving through a tiny model world
Very cool, reminds me a bit of two Tom Scott videos (these ones do use displays though, but combined with little model worlds) * this video - 1970s tank simulator drives through a tiny world * link - Submarine simulator
“Reminds of an early tank simulator”
Early tank simulator using a camera on a gantry over a diorama
Reminds of an early tank simulator where the driver in the cockpit saw a video feed from a camera on a gantry they were slowly driving around a diarama. this video "Real engine" for just one player at a time though.
“The operator drives a little camera around a large diorama providing a first-person view of simulated terrain”
Swiss Military Museum's 1970s tank simulator with a diorama and camera
The Swiss Military Museum maintains an exhibit with a 1970s tank simulator that guests can try out. It consists of a tank cockpit in a hydraulically mounted chamber that can pitch and roll with the changing terrain. The operator drives a little camera around a large diorama providing a first-person view of simulated terrain; a "foot" on the camera senses the terrain which is then translated into movements of the chamber. Apparently all of the equipment is original except the computer; as computer parts became harder to replace, eventually they just used a Raspberry Pi. this video
