Simucube LightBridge is a technology for contactless transmission of both data and power, built directly into the quick release coupling between the steering wheel and the base.

It’s a professional-level technology that delivers power and data with zero wearing parts, designed and engineered by Simucube exclusively for sim racing.

In simple terms: you attach the wheel to the base, and everything just works. There’s no need to connect a USB cable or use a wireless dongle. The coupling itself supplies power to the wheel’s electronics and transmits all data — for buttons, paddles, displays, LEDs, and other components — through the connection itself.

Simucube LightBridge redefines how racing hardware communicates — with zero contact, zero wear, and unmatched signal precision.

How Simucube LightBridge works

Simucube LightBridge consists of two pieces positioned apart. So how does LightBridge transfer both data and power without any contact?

Data transfer

Both sides of LightBridge pieces have infrared LEDs and receivers arranged in a ring, aligned so that they face each other. Communication between the wheelbase and the wheel takes place through infrared light.  

These LEDs send fast pulses of light back and forth, carrying data in both directions. The pulses are transmitted fast enough to transfer button inputs and telemetry data in real time.  

In other words, data is transferred optically between the rotating wheel and the wheelbase, using infrared light instead of physical electrical connectors. This data transfer technology was developed by Simucube specifically for sim racing. 

Power transfer

It works through inductive coupling, where the coil pieces act as the transmitter and receiver. It’s the same principle used in wireless phone chargers.

1. When electric current flows through a coil of wire, it creates a magnetic field around that coil.
2. By placing another coil close to the first one, that magnetic field can “reach” the second coil.
3. When the magnetic field changes, it causes an electrical effect in the second coil.
4. This creates current or voltage in the second coil without the coils touching.

Electricity → magnetic field forms → magnetic field transfers energy → electricity appears in the nearby coil.

The coils need to be positioned close to one another, and the magnetic field has to be in motion for energy transfer to occur.

Overall, these two technologies for data and power transfer together form Simucube LightBridge – a fully brushless, contactless system with no moving parts that touch or wear out.

Designed for sim racing

Simucube LightBridge works at the hardware level. Unlike USB, where delay can fluctuate with system load, this communication remains constant and predictable. The result is an absolutely stable, interference-free response, comparable to industrial protocols like EtherCAT or CAN Open, used in robotics and precision machinery. LightBridge gives sim racers a perfectly stable connection that just works — every time.

“Simucube is, at its core, an industrial company, which allows us to build products of high performance and reliability. That’s where we excel.” – Simucube CEO, Hannu Harju

That industrial background guided the design of Simucube LightBridge — a system built for long-term reliability and strong performance with no weak points in daily use. This same engineering philosophy led us to create a quick-release system with no mechanical wear points, ensuring the same solid connection every time you drive.

Key benefits of Simucube LightBridge

Advantage	Description
Absolutely stable & interference-free communication	Optical and transformer-based links provide isolated communication, similar to industrial systems.
Supports full telemetry & lighting	LightBridge provides a robust data channel, enabling complex telemetry for LEDs, and displays without compromise.
No wear	LightBridge is contactless eliminating common failure points under constant use.
No batteries	Simucube Link compatible steering wheels don’t have internal batteries. You can forget about charging or mid-race power loss.
Fewer PC ports used	Everything is unified via Simucube Link Hub, using a single port for the entire ecosystem.
Clean setup	Attach the wheel and you’re ready — no extra cables hanging down. Your rig stays neat and organized.

From an engineering perspective, fewer connection points mean fewer potential failures. For sim racers, this means easier setup and a rock-solid connection every time they drive. Simucube Link Quick Release with LightBridge technology is the defining feature of Simucube 3, unifying and simplifying what previously required multiple components — and setting a new standard for reliability.

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