MOBILE ROBOTIC SIMULATIONS THAT BRING INSPIRATION TO LIFE Vortex Dynamics is a complete virtual test bed for mechanical motion and contact dynamics simulation of mobile robotics applications. Its real-time precision allows you to accurately link your simulated robotics to real-world systems. That means you’re getting the right results at the right time — every time. Your innovations deserve to be brought to life with complete fidelity. Vortex Dynamics allows you to accelerate system-level design and analysis with virtual mechanical models. It provides all the tools you need to create truly realistic robotics simulations, from contact dynamics through to specialized terrains and advanced operational scenarios. Vortex Dynamics simulates articulated assemblies, contacts and constraints, realistic tracked and wheeled vehicle dynamics, precise grasping of virtual artifacts, and high-fidelity cable behavior. It’s the multibody dynamics simulation platform of choice for researchers and institutions all over the world. Get results you can count on, when you need them.
FOCUS ON YOUR RESEARCH, NOT INTEGRATION HEADACHES. Vortex Dynamics’ ease of integration means you can get your research projects up and running quickly. Easy integration with development tools such as Python
Vortex Dynamics’ fully stocked C++ API covers an
and MATLAB/Simulink means you don’t have to reinvent
exceptionally wide range of simulation needs, features
the wheel every time you make changes in the simulation
speedy integration with in-house 3D visual systems,
environment. Robotic controllers developed within
and allows you to configure and extend Vortex Dynamics
MATLAB/Simulink can be run on both real and simulated
for special applications. It is also easy to deploy your
robots with equivalent results, saving significant system-
applications built on Vortex to multiple platforms through
level development time and prototype expense. You
our distributable libraries available on Windows®, Linux®,
can integrate simulations from multiple domains, such
and Mac OS®.
as hydraulics and electrical models, to create a single system-level model. Vortex Dynamics can also integrate with complex hardware systems such as haptic devices, motion platforms, and interfaces to real machine and control systems.
ACCURACY YOU CAN RELY ON When your research is on the line, you need tools you can trust. Vortex Dynamics reduces both the time and effort required
Vortex Dynamics meets the highest standards for
for test bed/simulation integration. That’s because Vortex
technical validation, with a testing framework that allows
Dynamics plugs into MATLAB/Simulink out of the box,
performance to be consistently measured for purposes
and integrates seamlessly with your technical infra-
of regression testing, verification, and validation. Well-
structure. You can run robotic controllers developed
defined outputs allow comparison with mathematical
within MATLAB/Simulink on both real and simulated
models of behavior, data from field measurements,
robots with equivalent results, saving you significant
and project requirements.
time and resources.
Vortex Dynamics also provides developers with
Reduce the complexity of robotics systems engineering
an interactive test environment where mechanisms
by simulating mechanical dynamics in a complete operating
can be edited and tested before deployment in
environment—meaning you can conduct systems-level
a larger simulation environment.
testing and complete controls development.
VORTEX DYNAMICS: ADVANCED SIMULATIONS FOR ADVANCED RESULTS Vortex Dynamics’ realistic simulations and fast prototyping
Perform tests that would otherwise be impractical
of mobile robots helps reduce both the time and hardware
or impossible in an analog test environment, such as
required to develop your mobile robotics applications. This
evolutionary development, robotic surgery, or simulation
allows you to focus on what really counts: more advanced
within dangerous or hard-to-replicate environments,
results for your robotics projects.
including mines, space, nuclear waste facilities,
With Vortex Dynamics’ contact dynamics, you can simulate
and natural disaster sites.
not only the mechanical system, but also its interaction
Vortex Dynamics allows you to adjust to changes
in the operating environment—including terrain, water,
in design, test more options more rapidly, and simply
obstacles, vision systems, grasping, and more.
arrive at better solutions.
A COMPLETE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES DESIGN TESTING AND MOBILITY STUDY Engineering simulators for robot and equipment design; semi-autonomous and autonomous robots; autonomous motion and path planning (obstacle avoidance); controller design with software-in-the-loop (SIL), MATLAB/Simulink, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)
WHEELED AND TRACKED LOCOMOTION Realistic wheeled and tracked robots based on engineering design parameters— incorporate modifiable track, tire, and terrain properties using common vehicle engineering data models, and deploy electric drives, multiple tracks, rigid or flexible tracks, articulated chassis, and a number of industry-standard tire-terrain models
INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT MODELING Extensive land, marine, subsea, and planetary environment modeling—whether you’re simulating Mars, the ocean depths, or a battlefield, Vortex provides the virtual situational challenges for your robot: simulation of buoyancy and hydrodynamics; physically based visual conditions such as smoke, dust, and fog; simulation of bulk materials in motion like earth-moving, soil displacement, and compaction due to terrain interaction
HUMANOID ROBOTS AND ROBOTIC CREATURES Simulation of mechanical systems; dynamics of walking, crawling, swimming, and other methods of locomotion; grasping simulation for humanoid hands and other specialized grippers
OPERATOR TRAINING For robots and robotic or remotely operated vehicles (autonomous and tethered); training simulators integrated with control systems; training scenarios with interaction within simulated operating environments
ON MARS, IN THE DEEP OCEAN, AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN From space to the ocean depths, Vortex Dynamics has been used to simulate vehicles and robotics for hundreds of organizations and institutions worldwide.
SPACE
INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS AND REMOTELY OPERATED SYSTEMS
MILITARY AND SECURITY
Planetary robotics testing and mission
Accurate arm movements/dynamics
Bomb/IED search-and-destroy
planning with complete tracked and
and object collision/response; grasp-
robots with highly realistic robot-
wheeled vehicle dynamics; track/
ing of virtual artifacts with grippers;
environment interactions; complete
wheel-soil interaction; manipulators
integration with manipulator control
simulation of robotic drive systems,
and interaction with the operating
systems; simulation of specialized
sensors, and manipulators; cable
environment
tools and interaction with mechanical
system simulation for control tethers
systems
NUCLEAR AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS HANDLING
SUBSEA
MEDICAL ROBOTICS
Simulation of hazardous
ROVs and AUVs for subsea
Interfaces to haptic devices for
environments and tasks (e.g.,
applications with flight propulsion
performing virtual surgery, including
irradiated fuel transfer and storage,
systems; hydrodynamic simulations;
patient-specific set-up with 3D
fuel routes, and fuel handling
tether-management systems; sonar,
models, use of haptic devices to
components); reactor control
cameras, and other sensors; virtual
manipulate surgical tools, hardware
room simulation; simulated robotic
systems testing
placement, and final export of results
inspection of nuclear hot cells
for analysis
EXPERT PERSPECTIVES ON VORTEX DYNAMICS “Due to the requirements of the project, we quickly focused on Vortex. It was easy to get started, and in no time we were adding simulated object collision and response to our modelling environment.”
“From the moment we evaluated Vortex, it was obvious that many man-years of development and testing had gone into the software.”
Bradley Eatt Immersive Technologies
Laurent Chodorge CEA Project Engineer
“The customer support has been amazing. The Vortex team has always been very quick to respond, and they know how to explain their physics solution to mechanical engineers… With Vortex we don’t need to worry about collision detections or dynamics algorithms—the physics algorithms are all there, which lets us get up and running with our applications very quickly.”
“Vortex is a major success factor for this project. The fidelity of the vehicle’s driving is exceptional and maps exactly to the behaviour of the actual vehicle. CM Labs has been a valuable partner in the delivery of these simulators.”
Dr. Jerry Sun Vice President, CONTEX Engineering International
Daniela Constantinescu Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria
“The much higher accuracy and robustness of the Vortex engine was why Vortex was used for the final implementation.”
“Vortex has been a central component of our software. The fidelity of the vehicle dynamics and the tire-train collision, combined with real-time performance, were significant factors in preparing us for the DARPA Grand Challenge.”
Red Whittaker
Wolfram Schoor,
Red Team Racing, Carnegie Mellon University
Harald Nikolisin, Arne Radetsky EADS
“We’ve had the opportunity to assess the latest version of the fuel handling simulator and have been very impressed with its accuracy and realism.”
Ryan Eagan Fuel Handling Simulator Project Master, Bruce Power
CUSTOMER STORIES CASSIDIAN USES VORTEX FOR EOD ROBOT TRAINING SIMULATION
NASA LUNAR MICROROVER SIMULATOR DEVELOPED WITH VORTEX
VORTEX POWERS FMC SCHILLING ROBOTICS ROV PILOT TRAINING SIMULATOR
Cassidian uses Vortex as the
The NASA Lunar Micro-Rover (LMR)
When it came time to build a next-
dynamics simulation engine for
project is a test bed demonstration
generation ROV training solution,
its EOD robotics training simulation
for an economical multi-dimension
FMC Technologies Schilling Robotics
application. Cassidian selected Vortex
robotic tool that can be easily
came to CM Labs. The FMC Schilling
after a review process comparing
assembled, repaired, and customized
Robotics ROV simulator provides the
a wide range of open source and
for interstellar missions. The Micro-
highest fidelity simulation of ROV
commercial physics engines, citing
Rovers are constructed from a
hydrodynamics, propulsion system,
the “much higher accuracy” of the
family of interoperable modular
tethers, manipulators and on-board
Vortex engine, and its robust, stable
subsystems capable of supporting a
sensors available.
performance.
variety of technical objectives such
“The best feature of the simulator is the realism,” says Oliver Albrecht, Cassidian’s Lead Engineer. “The
as supporting micro-payloads, lunar exploration, extended deployment, and remote operation.
The simulator is fully integrated with ROV control systems to provide the next best thing to piloting the actual ROV. The ROV simulator
simulated robot behaves as you
As part of this project, the LMR
also features sonar, cameras, and
expect it to, and the operator can
team developed a simulator for
transponders for the most-realistic
position the arms and manipulators
mission simulation and rover testing.
interactions imaginable.
just like an actual one.”
The simulator is powered by Vortex, in order to provide the real time physical effects required.
ABOUT CM LABS SIMULATIONS INC. For over 15 years, CM Labs has provided robotics simulation solutions and services to organizations around the world. With a long history in the real-time visual-simulation and gaming industries, CM Labs produces feature-rich simulation capabilities that set the industry standard for interactive 3D dynamics and simulated mechanical equipment behavior. With proven experience ranging from deep-sea to space projects, the CM Labs team features experts with decades of experience and wide-ranging backgrounds in training, vehicle dynamics, heavy equipment, and robotics. Our engineers, scientists, and computing professionals excel at all aspects of visual simulation, from initial concept and R&D, to integration, training, and beyond. All CM Labs technologies and services are backed by our multidisciplinary staff, with PhDs and master’s degrees in the fields of virtual reality, engineering, computing, physics, and mathematics. We’re standing by to support all your simulation activities, whether you need guidance for 3D asset modeling, special behavior modeling (e.g., digging, deformable bodies, fluids), peripheral device integration (e.g., haptic arms, motion platforms), or interfaces to machine-control systems and controller integration. As your solution partner, we stand by our solution completely, from beginning to end. Through Vortex, CM Labs provides capabilities for training simulators, mission rehearsal, serious games, virtual prototyping, and testing. Vortex customers include FMC Schilling Robotics, iRobot, Honda Research, L-3, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Carnegie Mellon University, and over 100 other leading companies and academic institutions.
CONTACT US NOW Call +1 514-287-1166 Email info@vxsim.com
www.vxsim.com @vxsim www.youtube.com/vortexsim
645 Wellington Street, Suite 301, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3C 1T2