We brought the first active pedal to the market in 2022, another one in 2024, and have witnessed thousands of sim racers use them daily for some time now. We decided to share with you what we now know – what truly matters to sim racers. Here’s what we’ve learned. This is how we define what is an active pedal.

What is an “active pedal”?

Active pedal technology is a paradigm shift in simulator and controller technology, turning pedals from controllers into full two-way haptic devices. Traditional – passive – pedals only register input, but an active pedal provides real-time feedback, allowing the driver to feel the car’s behavior underfoot. Simucube ActivePedals leads this space, giving sim racers real clarity and control. They are the first sim pedals in sim racing history that let you define exactly how your pedals should feel.

To understand the unique advantages of an active pedal, it’s useful to compare it with traditional pedal technologies. The table below highlights the key difference:

Passive pedal "Input device"	Haptic pedal reactor "Haptic display"	Active pedal "Haptic device"

Common misunderstanding is, that an active pedal is just a more advanced brake. It’s not. It’s a whole new kind of device. Unlike a passive pedal, which measures how hard you press it, an active pedal pushes back and can be 100% controlled digitally. As someone put it, ‘it talks to you’.

It reacts in real time, and can simulate ABS, traction loss, and in the near future even brake fade and dynamic resistances—just like in real cars. Pedal feel and roles can change between brake, accelerator, and clutch – depending on the vehicle you select. Simucube ActivePedals support car based automatic profiles switching for each individual pedal since Simucube Tuner 2.5.

Active pedal uses high-precision motor, force curves, and telemetry-based software-controlled feedback loop to achieve the functionality. That means pedals have the ability to feel different depending on tire grip, road conditions, or car setup. That is true simulation – and it has pushed simulation game developers to create new methods to simulate these dimensions in their software.

We are hard at work in defining a more sophisticated API (Application Programming Interface) with 3rd party software developers — and we can tell you that this technology is just getting started. Future updates will expand integration with major simulation platforms. The crazy thing is that pedals – and their features – are now updated with software, almost like a smartphone. If you get an active pedal now, it definitely will have more features in the future.

What are the biggest problems active pedals solve?

Active pedals solve the main shortcoming: you do not feel the vehicle behaviour under your foot at all.

Active pedals create
a real and trusted connection
between you and your vehicle.

By definition, active pedal should eliminate:

• Inconsistencies
  Some pedals degrade. Active pedals don’t.
• Unrealistic feedback and feel
  Different cars and vehicles have very different pedal feels and forces, some brakes push back under ABS. All these different dimensions should be covered with active pedals:
  • pedal travel ranges
  • force curves and stiffness
  • load capacity and pressure limits
  • damping and friction
  • mechanical stops
  • bite points and engagement zones
  • dead zones and preloads.
• Slow and (usually skipped) adjustability
  Traditionally changing brake feel means swapping parts – people usually skip this part. With active pedals, you can adjust everything instantly with just a few of clicks.
• Mechanical wear
  Hydraulic pedals require regular maintenance due to fluid degradation, load-cell pedals have mechanical components that can wear over time. Active pedal eliminates these issues entirely. Active pedals have no rubber bushings, hydraulic seals, springs to replace, or mechanical parts to wear out. Active pedals just last for years.

What do people value the most in an active pedal?

After years of testing and customer feedback, we asked customers what makes the biggest difference for them. We cannot promise this for other brands though, but this is what they said to us:

Everyone just loves the adjustability. The ability to fine-tune pedal settings to their preference is unmatched. Many have said that this is the first pedal that has allowed them to make the pedal feel exactly like they want it to be.

• 90% said that it has helped them to grasp trail braking.
• 92% feel more confident in their braking overall.
• 96% say if feels more realistic.

The confidence comes from, the sensation and feedback from the pedal – it improves their connection to the car. Now they know what’s happening.

The infamous ABS (anti-lock braking system) feedback actually pushes their foot back, allowing them to better modulate corners. Many have even called it ‘almost a cheat code’—but that’s exactly how it works in real-life racing.

How do people talk about the impact?

We have also researched the true impact of active pedals—and this is what users told us.

Confidence in pedal work
With active pedals, drivers gain confidence in their inputs. The precise feedback strengthens muscle memory, allowing for more consistent braking and throttle control.

Faster, more consistent lap times
The pedal’s repeatability allows racers to refine their technique without second-guessing their inputs. Many report improvements in lap times, not just from outright speed, but from better control over braking points and smoother transitions.

A more engaging, realistic experience
Sim racing becomes more than just a game—it feels like driving a real car. The added feedback, from ABS effects to dynamic pedal resistance, creates an emotional connection that makes every session more immersive.

A deeper commitment to sim racing
Many users describe the active pedals as a turning point in their sim racing journey. What started as a casual interest has become a dedicated pursuit of skill, precision, and racecraft, pushing them further into the hobby.

A mindset shift to racecraft
We have also seen a shift in mindset as drivers begin to truly grasp the relationship between their sim rig, the car, track conditions, and forces at play.Understanding how braking and throttle control fits into the bigger picture of car balancing and eventually racecraft. As they gain this awareness, they stop merely reacting and start actively shaping their driving with more deliberate, precise inputs. It is not just a tool for better braking—it’s a gateway to mastering control.

What would it feel like if your pedals truly connected you to the car? If this got you interested, check out our active pedals and start thinking what you could do with them.