CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, has released the Instructor Operating Station (IOS), CM Labs’ dedicated solution for directing, monitoring, and assessing trainees. Designed to complement CM Labs’ Vortex simulators for operator training, the IOS provides rich functionality for engaging training sessions, while its smart monitoring tools enable a 360-degree perspective on trainee progress.

The IOS enables instructors to initiate Vortex simulator exercise sessions and engage trainees by exposing them to the types of variable conditions they will experience on the job site. Options include the ability to set time of day, as well as weather conditions including rain, fog, snow, wind speed, and direction. At any time, instructors can inject machine faults including engine stalls, hydraulic failures, and line breaks.

The IOS also serves as the central hub for team-based training. Instructors can enable tandem lift exercises, put another trainee at the helm of the IOS so they can engage with the team as an operations supervisor, or launch a Signalperson Training Station (purchased separately) that allows another trainee to work cooperatively with the operators. 

“While a team is engaged in a complex exercise, the IOS gives instructors complete control of the training session, as well as the tools to document operator strengths and areas for improvement,” says Lisa Barbieri, CM Labs’ VP of Marketing. “It really allows trainees, instructors, and administrators to leverage simulation to its fullest extent.”

The IOS tracks all operating metrics during training exercises, and rolls them up into a single score that updates in real time. It is the only simulator training solution that gives trainers and managers the ability to customize this scoring system and establish their own benchmarks, if desired, according to the operator attributes they want to target.

After each training session, the IOS can generate reports that highlight scoring, selected instructor bookmarks, notes, and charts that allow organisations to objectively document trainee readiness, provide an indication of areas for improvement, and ultimately train a safer, more effective operator.

Instructors can also control virtual characters within the training environment to obtain an “on the ground” perspective, or use the built-in signaler functionality to provide virtual hand signals to the operator. 

In addition, the IOS offers a host of automated monitoring tools, including complete real-time recording and reporting of machine and performance data. At any point during the training session, instructors can add bookmarks and notes to the training session for later review.

“With the IOS, instructors can monitor operations from their seat,” says Drew Carruthers, CM Labs’ Director of Training Solutions. “It is the only solution on the market that provides trainers with a real-time 3D view to follow the progress of operators, from any vantage point on the worksite.” 

The Instructor Operating Station provides a real-time 3D view of learning progress.