A high force motor is controlled by an analog card who's signal is amplified and transformed for the motor-control. A potentiometer measures the current steering angle and enables a fine force control in a local feedback loop. Standard game pedals can extend the functionality of the wheel and be used for breaking and acceleration. Joysticks are commonly used in computer games. Therefore, many are constructed to be connected to the standard game-port of a soundcard.
Joysticks are handheld devices which enable simultaneous analog control for multiple axes.
Simple versions have two axes, while more complex joysticks can have up to four axes. Normally, the stick is returned to neutral center position by springs. Modern versions have small motors driving the joystick back, enabling the simulation of changing forces. Multiple joysticks can be used in the Motion-Lab as input devices to the simulation. In order to take the body movements of the user into account, it is useful to track these movements.