Thanks for visting ForgeFX Simulations at DevLearn 2014

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the ForgeFX Simulations booth at the DevLearn Conference last week in Las Vegas. It was a blast getting to meet so many smart and talented people in such a fun and exciting place, and we were honored to demonstrate our collection of simulation-based training solutions to attendees and fellow exhibitors. If you didn't get a chance to try out one of our simulators during the expo, or if you have any questions for us, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll set up a time to speak with you.

Adam Kane and Greg Meyers from ForgeFX Simulations

This year we had something for everyone, from full-blown platform training simulators with real-world controllers, to simulations running on a tablet or phone, to standard laptop-based job training simulations available for world-wide distribution.

DevLearn attendee operating a rope shovel training simulator developed by ForgeFX. 

#DevLearn attendees who came by our booth got to try out a number of the different training simulation products that ForgeFX has developed over the years. Most people naturally flock to our platform-based training simulators, which are always an expo floor favorite, but eventually everyone remarks about the virtual pigs running around and how cute they are. This sentiment quickly changes when virtual necropsies start happening and pigs get slated to be euthanized, but we always love showing off our simulators and hearing reactions and comments from the audience.

DemoFest 

DemoFest is DevLearn's exposition and competition of the latest and greatest eLearning courses, case studies, and showcases—a people’s choice competition, sponsored by Weejee Learning. ForgeFX was proud to be an exhibitor at #DemoFest this year, with our entry in the Best Game-Based Solution category, HazOps—an industrial safety training simulation that we developed for the California State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF), the largest provider of worker's compensation insurance policies in the state.

ForgeFX Simulations's HazOps, Industrial Safety Training Simulation at DevLearn 2014 DemoFest.

Through fun, interactive, immersive simulation-based learning SCIF hopes to engage users in safety training content in a way traditional training material can't. The longer a policy holder spends learning how to identify, avoid, and address hazardous conditions the lower the chances are they'll have an accident, and thus file a claim.

ForgeFX is a 3D job-training simulation and eLearning development company. Using high-fidelity 3D graphics, we provide custom application development services for clients who are looking for interactive job-training simulations. Our simulation technology and production expertise are applicable to many different industries. We love to employ our talent and creativity on projects in new and exciting areas.

Thanks again and we'll see everyone next year at DevLearn 2015.

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ForgeFX Simulations at DevLearn — Exploring the New Learning Universe

DevLearn, one of the most interesting and cutting-edge training and learning events in the US, starts on October 29th at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. One of the premier eLearning conferences and expositions, ForgeFX will be there at booth 611 demonstrating our line of training simulations. If you are a training or learning professional who regularly participates in your organization's use of technology-based tools and strategies, then you should definitely consider attending DevLearn. And if you're attending DevLearn this year please come visit us and try out one of our job-training simulations.


ForgeFX Simulations — DevLearn 2014 — Booth 611

DevLearn Keynote Speakers

This year's opening keynote speaker is Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium and host of the television show Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. His speech will focus on STEM education—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and he will discuss why STEM is critical in regards to the education of young people and how it impacts the workplace. As a preview, you can listen to an interview with Dr. Tyson by David Kelly, program director of the eLearning Guild.


DemoFest 2014

Perhaps one of the most entertaining events at DevLearn every year is DemoFest. DemoFest is a billed as the premier showcase of eLearning project demonstrations. While the entire conference and exposition is dedicated to the subject, DemoFest is a great place to come and really get your hands on dozens of new products. This year's DemoFest will host more than 80 exhibitors with interactive products for attendees to play with, including ForgeFX's HazOps, a 3D industrial job-trainer that we developed for California State Compensation Insurance Fund.

ForgeFX Simulations

This year we're bringing some of our most popular simulators to DevLearn for everyone on the expo floor to try out.

• Go head-to-head against a friend while you operate an aircraft deicing training simulator during a virtual snowstorm.
• Try your hand at a mining shovel operator training simulator and to see how quickly and safely you can move materials.
• Play HazOps, an industrial safety training game that puts your knowledge of hazards and the necessary safety precautions used to avoid them to the test.

ForgeFX Simulations — HazOps — Industrial Safety Training Simulation

ForgeFX develops 3D job-training simulations across a wide array of industries, everything from mining, to construction, to air transportation. We provide custom application development services for clients in any industry who are looking for interactive job-training simulations. Come try out some of our products, ask us about building an immersive learning environment for you, and we'll see you at DevLearn!


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Military Simulation and Virtual Training Market Forecasts, 2014-2024

If you're looking for forecasts and analysis of where the simulation and virtual training markets are predicted to go over the course of the next ten years, a good place to start is with the military. The defense industry invests considerable resources into simulation-based training and often influences other industries and their use of training simulators.

Two recently published reports provide a wealth of information on military simulators and virtual training, detailing the current size of the industry, growth expectations and emerging opportunities.

The Global Military Simulation and Virtual Training Systems Market 2014–2024, published by Strategic Defense Intelligence, explains how global military cost-cutting initiatives have resulted in reduced training budgets, leading to a focus on less expensive virtual training solutions.

As militaries around the world replace obsolete weaponry with new technology the demand for training will increase, while the costs for consumables like ammunition and fuel will continue to increase. The report highlights that the US military saved more than $20 million on ammunition in 2010 using virtual combat training simulators.

The report lists that the US Air Force spends approximately $2.9 million to train a jet fighter pilot. In an effort to reduce costs, the helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle operator training simulator segments are expected to be two of the leading market drivers.

Military Simulation, Modeling and Virtual Training Market 2014-2024, by Visiongain, estimates that the global amount spent in the Military Simulation, Modeling and Virtual Training markets to be $8.12 billion. The report seeks to do the following:

"Analyses the market at the global level, by two primary submarkets which are broken down into a total of 12 secondary submarkets. The 15 leading national markets plus rest of the world are also analyzed, each broken down by the two primary submarkets."

One of the key simulation-based requirements pointed out in the reports is in regards to fidelity. The need for either high-fidelity (nearly identical look and feel) or duplicate fidelity (actual look and feel) human-machine interface controls are a necessity in order for trainees to get the most from simulation-based training.

While these reports are helpful and provide valuable insight, there's really only one way to find out everything there is to know about the military simulation market, attend the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, otherwise known as I/ITSEC.

Dedicated to the promotion of cooperation among the Armed Services, Industry, Academia, and various Government agencies that are in pursuit of improved training and education programs, identification of common training issues, and development of multiservice programs.

If you're attending I/ITSEC this year please be sure to stop by and visit ForgeFX at booth number 2088 where we'll have a number of our training simulators available for the attendees to climb into and get some hands-on virtual training.

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Vancouver Siggraph 2014

ForgeFX would like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at Siggraph last week. The International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques attracted over 14,000 artists, game developers, and filmmakers from more than 70 countries gathering to experience the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques.


Greg Meyers, ForgeFX President, demonstrating job-training simulations at Siggraph 2014

This year's conference had more than 40,000 square feet of exhibit space hosting more than 170 participating companies showcasing their products and services. From the release of the Oculus Rift DK2, to Intel's demonstration of the new DirectX 12 API, to Sony's Morpheus virtual reality head-mounted display running on a PC—there was something from everyone at this year's Siggraph.

 


Oculus Rift Development Kit 2

Oculus VR, makers of the low-latency virtual reality headset that combines stereoscopic 3D with head movement tracking, demonstrated their new Oculus DK2. The new version is a huge improvement in our opinion, and something that is ready for deployment for virtual job training simulations.

"SIGGRAPH 2014 offered an incredible exhibition experience, innovative and inspiring content, and celebrated the impact that graphics and technology can have in everyday life." 

Dave Shreiner, SIGGRAPH 2014 Conference Chair. 



David Vaillancourt, ForgeFX Chief Creative Officer, demonstrating one of our Oculus VR-based training simulator 

ForgeFX had a great time demonstrating our work to everyone who braved the long lines to get their hands on our simulators, including our job training simulators that utilized the Oculus Rift. If didn't get a chance to try them out at please feel free to contact us to schedule a demonstration, or come find us later this year at DevLearn or I/ITSEC. 

 

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ForgeFX Simulations, Vancouver SIGGRAPH 2014, Booth #952

Vancouver SIGGRAPH 2014 begins next week and ForgeFX Simulations is looking forward to being part of the show! Please come visit us at booth #952 and try out the collection of 3D training simulators we've brought with us.

ForgeFX Simulations, SIGGRAPH 2014, Booth #952

ForgeFX Simulations, booth #952, will have simulators galore for attendees to get their hands on. Everything from an electric rope shovel training simulator, connected to real-world machine joysticks, to a laptop based aircraft deicing simulator, to a pork production livestock management training simulator.



ForgeFX Simulations Booth #952

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Training Simulators at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the ForgeFX Simulators booth at CONEXPO-CON/AGG earlier this month in Las Vegas. We had a great time being part of the show by exhibiting the heavy equipment training simulators we've developed and encouraging attendees to jump aboard and take a virtual test drive. Training simulators were a big hit at CONEXPO this year and we enjoyed being one of the companies there demonstrating the benefits of virtual training simulators for heavy equipment operators.



Maureen, Shelly, Adam, David, and Greg from ForgeFX Simulations at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.

From our tablet-based assembly simulation, to our laptop-based aircraft deicing trainer, to our platform-based electric rope shovel training simulator - we had a solution to serve just about every potential requirement that was thrown at us.



Maureen operating our virtual rope shovel training simulator.

In addition to the simulators that we had at our booth, our client Joy Global had the wheel loader simulator that we developed for them featured prominently at their booth. This simulator allows operators to train to operate the largest front-end wheel loader in the world, the LeTourneau 2350.
 


 

David operating Joy Global's front-end wheel loader training simulator.


Simulators are great for training, but they're also great for trade shows, where it is not always practical to bring pieces of heavy equipment onto the show floor. Simulators allow companies to demonstrate their products virtually, greatly reducing their costs by removing the need to transport pieces of heavy equipment to show locations. Virtual simulators are also great for trade shows because you can allow attendees to get behind the controls of a machine and operate it right there on the floor, something you would never dream of doing with a real-world piece of equipment.

Construction Equipment Training Simulators

ForgeFX simulators were far from the only construction equipment training simulators at CONEXPO this year. A number of heavy equipment manufactures had training simulators on display, including Volvo, John Deere, Liebherr and Hyundai.

Volvo EC220 Excavator Simulator

Liehberr Rotary Drill Rig Simulator

John Deere Excavator Simulator

Heavy equipment manufacturers have realized that training simulators can deliver a huge return on investment to their customers and have jumped into the market with both feet. By providing simulators, you allow operators to train and become familiar with machine controls day or night, regardless of weather conditions - while using zero fuel and putting no wear-and-tear on real-world machinery. Simulators allow you to keep expensive machinery in production where it is making you money rather than being used for training.


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John Deere set to display 15 simulators at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

John Deere says they will unveil their largest CONEXPO-CON/AGG presence ever this year in Las Vegas. With seven exhibit areas, covering more than 37,000 feet, featuring 35 machines, and staffed by more than 200 employees, it's clear John Deere is planning on putting on an exciting show.

In addition, to the 35 machines (8 of which are new products), John Deere will be have 15 machine simulators in their exhibit areas for the public to operate. In addition to the advantages that simulators provide during training, they are also a valuable sales tool for use at trade shows where it is not always practical to bring real-world equipment.

"CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the perfect international stage to showcase John Deere's customers, their projects, the equipment, and technologies they utilize on a daily basis. We've worked hard to better listen and respond more quickly and as a result we're able to build more profitable businesses and better communities together.", David F. Thorne, Director, World Wide Marketing & Support, John Deere Construction & Forestry Division.

KOBELCO Cranes also announced that they will have their crane service training simulator at the show. If you're interested in seeing the latest and greatest heavy equipment simulators, and you can make it to Las Vegas next week, then we'll see you at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014.


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Safety Impacts of Truck Driver Simulator Training

A new report by the American Transportation Research Institute, titled: Safety Impacts of Truck Driver Simulator Training, examines the economic and safety impacts of using customized truck driver training simulators. Utilizing a targeted set of truck driving training scenarios, the report concludes that operators that receive simulator-based training are involved in fewer accidents. The study also notes that their is a shelf life to the training received via the simulator, with the benefits gained dropping off after 12 months, requiring the need to maintain a training simulator curriculum.

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