I/ITSEC 2011 Issue

Must see events for ground vehicle simulation experts.

You can learn more at one of the events below and visit CMLabs @ Booth 2956. Industry experts can learn about effective deployment of ground vehicle and robotics simulation projects. Visit I/ITSEC 2011 to learn more about how the Vortex team can help make your project a success.
 

Innovation Showcase - Booth 3201
Tue Nov 29 @ 1400
Vehicle Simulation - Accelerate your ground vehicle and C-IED robotics simulation projects.

Learn how leading MST companies have put Vortex to work to accelerate vehicle operator training applications and reduced project costs and risk.

NATO Workshop | MSG-10
Wed Nov 30 @ 1330
Best practices for modular ground vehicle and C-IED simulation and training systems.

Learn about best practices and lessons learned developing efficient ground vehicle and C-IED robotics training.

Presagis - I/ITSEC Booth 2101

Learn how to quickly build modular ground vehicle simulation applications leveraging COTS software with Vortex for Vega Prime.

RUAG Defence is one of the world's leading manufacturers of defense simulation and training equipment. RUAG’s virtual simulation units are comprehensive training solutions for commanders, gunners and vehicle drivers. RUAG develops and delivers simulation units for live and virtual training meeting armed forces’ changing requirements. Flexible configurations allow highly realistic training of any mission, for individuals, crews or units with a wide range of additional equipment. RUAG selected Vortex to power its next generation of virtual vehicle trainers for its fidelity, modularity and ease of deployment within their Virtual Arena framework.

Vortex is being deployed for vehicle simulation of battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles in virtual urban, open terrain and peace support operations. Vortex has allowed RUAG to effectively move to at COTS solution for modular and configurable physical definition and simulation of vehicle dynamics – making efficient use of engineering resources and improving reusability. Vortex VxVehicles models vehicle dynamics using the same engineering properties employed by vehicle design engineers, saving many man-months of effort because of its flexible and reusable vehicle assembly and modeling features. VxVehicles facilitates the creation of high-fidelity and robust ground vehicles, heavy equipment and robotics.

>> For more about Vortex Vehicle Simulation Applications, Click Here.

The Vortex team has been recently engaged by Elbit Systems to supply vehicle simulation capabilities for defense ground vehicle simulation projects. The initial deployment of Vortex will be within an advanced training systems project for one of its customers. The project comprises driving simulators for various armored vehicles (tracked and wheeled),. The Vortex team is delivering its leading vehicle simulation toolkit along with expert services to provide a modular turn-key solution integrated within Elbit’s state-of-the-art training platform. Vortex will simulate vehicle driving, powertrain, braking systems, fuel consumption, suspension, collision, roll-over and many malfunctions. It provides a configurable off-the-shelf solution that will save considerable development costs and allow Elbit Systems to bring proven and high quality solutions to its customers.

Vortex VxVehicles takes real-time simulation of cars, trucks, heavy equipment, military vehicles and ground robotics to the next level. Through quick parameter-based assembly, VxVehicles puts engineering-grade vehicles into any synthetic environment for ground-breaking physics-based motion and interactions. VxVehicles sets the standard for physically accurate, real-time simulations of wheeled and tracked ground vehicles for virtual prototyping and testing, mission rehearsal, driver training, and other real-world applications.

>> Click here to read more about Vortex VxVehicles

The NASA Lunar Mirco Rover (LMR) mission is to deploy two micro-rovers to the moon by 2012 constructed from a family of interoperable modular subsystems capable of supporting a variety of technical objectives such as supporting Micro-Payloads, Lunar Exploration, Extended Deployment, and Tele-operation.

The NASA Ames Research Center is currently developing LMR's to address the need to have an economical multi-dimension robotic tool that can be easily assembled, repaired, and customized for interstellar missions. As part of this project, a simulator is being developed for mission simulation and rover testing by the LMR team. Students involved in the project will also be able to access the simulator to test drive the LMR. The simulator is being built with Vortex to provide the necessary real‐time physical effects required. More information on this project can be found at lmr.nasa.gov/lmrp_simulation.php.

>> More information on Vortex for Robotics Applications.

The Vortex team has experienced strong growth in the past year and with further growth planned in 2012 we are looking to add several people to our team. Join a team of talented engineers, software and business professionals building engaging virtual environments for the world’s leading manufacturers and training organizations. We are currently looking for 3D graphics software developers, software engineers, mechanical engineers, and technicians. We'd like to hear from you if you are interested in any of these openings.

>> Click here to view open positions in the Vortex team.

University of Western Ontario, Canada, Selects Vortex for Vehicle Simulation

The University of Western Ontario is the latest university to select Vortex for their research. The School of Kinesiology will use Vortex in research on the effects of whole-body vibration on heavy equipment operators which can be a significant workplace risk factor for injury. Vortex will drive the dynamics of industrial vehicles over varying terrains on a robotic platform to simulate the accurate motion and vibration impacting the operator seat.

University of Victoria, Canada, and CMLabs to Collaborate on NSERC Funded Haptics Research

CMLabs has entered into a collaborative research partnership with the University of Victoria with support from NSERC. The project led by Professor Daniela Constantinescu, will investigate novel control techniques to add stable, high fidelity haptic feedback to dynamic virtual environments using Vortex. The NSERC Engage Grants Program fosters the development of new research partnerships between academic researchers and companies. With support from this grant and CMLabs, Prof Constantinescu’s lab will develop techniques to provide 6DOF haptic feedback at the fixed 1 kHz frequency to operators who manipulate virtual objects simulated in real-time using Vortex at 60 Hz.