One of the biggest reasons Sim Hub has become so popular among DIY builders is its support for Arduino-based projects.
Many of the most common sim racing immersion devices—including haptics, wind simulation, rev lights, flag indicators, dashboards, and button boxes—can be built using inexpensive Arduino hardware.
For many builders, Arduino becomes the gateway into custom immersion systems.
WHAT IS AN ARDUINO?
An Arduino is a small programmable controller that allows Sim Hub to communicate with physical hardware. Think of it as a translator.
Racing Game → SimHub → Arduino → Hardware
Your racing simulator generates telemetry. SimHub reads that telemetry. The Arduino receives instructions from SimHub and controls connected devices.
WHY DOES SIMHUB USE ARDUINO BOARDS?
Arduino boards are popular because they are:
• Affordable
• Easy to find
• Well documented
• Beginner friendly
• Flexible
This flexibility is one of the reasons the DIY sim racing community has grown so quickly.
COMMON ARDUINO BOARDS USED WITH SIMHUB
Arduino Uno
• Vibration motors
• LEDs
• Wind simulation
• Small DIY projects
Arduino Leonardo
• Multi-device immersion systems
• Wind simulation
• Haptic feedback projects
• Advanced builds
Arduino Pro Micro
• Pedal haptics
• Compact controllers
• Space-constrained projects
WHAT CAN SIM HUB CONTROL THROUGH AN ARDUINO?
Haptics
• Vibration motors
• Pedal rumble systems
• Seat feedback systems
Wind Simulation
• PWM fan control
• Speed-based airflow systems
LEDs
• Rev lights
• Flag indicators
• Spotter systems
• LED matrices
Displays
• Dashboards
• Gear indicators
• Telemetry screens
Inputs
• Button boxes
• Rotary encoders
• Custom control panels
UNDERSTANDING OUTPUTS
Builders often hear terms such as:
• PWM outputs
• Digital outputs
• Analog inputs
PWM outputs are commonly used for vibration motors and wind simulation.
Digital outputs are often used for LEDs and switching functions.
Inputs allow buttons, switches, and controls to communicate back to SimHub.
ONE ARDUINO OR MULTIPLE ARDUINOS?
Many builders start with a single Arduino. As systems grow, they often add additional controllers.
For example:
One Arduino may control:
• Wind simulation
Another may control:
• Pedal haptics
Another may control:
• LEDs and indicators
SimHub can communicate with multiple controllers simultaneously, allowing systems to expand over time.
DIY DOES NOT MEAN COMPLICATED
One of the biggest misconceptions about Arduino-based immersion hardware is that every project requires advanced programming skills. In reality, Sim Hub handles much of the communication and configuration for supported Arduino devices. Many builders are able to create functional immersion hardware with little or no coding experience.
ARDUINO IS OFTEN THE BEGINNING
What begins as a simple vibration motor project often grows into:
• Wind simulation
• Haptic feedback systems
• LED indicators
• Dashboards
• Button boxes
• Custom immersion hardware
At GSC Immersion Lab, we believe understanding controllers is one of the most important steps toward building reliable, expandable, and immersive DIY sim racing hardware.
In the next article, we’ll cover one of the most searched topics in the SimHub community: Common SimHub Problems and Troubleshooting.
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