Simulation apparatus and processing load adjustment device

A simulation apparatus for a cockpit system of a vehicle, the simulation apparatus comprising:

• a processor to execute a program;
• and
• a memory to store the program which, when executed by the processor, results in performance of steps including:
• performing simulation of a driving environment of the vehicle involving a driving behavior to acquire driving behavior data as data relating to the driving behavior, and generating a travel image as an image simulating scenery visible from the vehicle during travelling;
• generating a first control signal to control display of a component of the cockpit system of the vehicle based on the driving behavior data;
• generating an image of the component based on the first control signal;
• displaying the travel image;
• displaying the image of the component;
• determining a processing load of the simulation apparatus from (i) a first time difference between the acquisition of the driving behavior data and the display of the image of the component corresponding to the driving behavior data and/or (ii) a second time difference between the acquisition of the driving behavior data and the display of the travel image generated in response to the driving behavior data;
• adjusting the processing load to reduce the first time difference and/or the second time difference in a case where the first time difference and/or the second time difference exceeds a respective predetermined allowable range;
• after said adjusting, generating a second control signal, responsive to operation of a driving operation device, to control display of the component of the cockpit system of the vehicle based on driving behavior data corresponding to the driving behavior, the operation of the driving operation device including at least one of operation of a steering wheel, operation of an accelerator pedal, operation of a brake pedal, and/or operation of a gearshift;
• generating the image of the component based on the second control signal;
• and
• displaying again the travel image and/or the image of the component based on the adjusted processing load and the operation of the driving operation device resulting in the generation of the second control signal.