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Vortex Software Products Build Reliable Virtual Training and Test Solutions for Vehicles and Mechanical Equipment Vortex is a platform for creating interactive vehicle and mechanical equipment simulations in realistic virtual environments, for operator training and systems testing. Dynamics simulations created with Vortex behave just like the real thing, including accurate multi-body motion, constraints, and collisions. Vortex includes comprehensive engineering-grade modules for vehicle, cable systems, and earthworks simulation, which means you can create validated applications to precise specifications without having to re-invent the wheel. With support for standard engineering tools, and integrated testing and verification capabilities, Vortex is easy to use, and built for reliability. Vortex has been validated and field-tested over and over again by industry leaders who can all attest to the fact that it’s robust, highly re-useable technology that works the way you need it to.
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ROBOTICS
A COMPLETE PLATFORM FOR SIMULATING EQUIPMENT AND DYNAMIC VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS Extensively used in simulation-based training and operations planning, Vortex enables you to build a wide range of real-world simulations, including cranes, defense vehicles, IED robots, and subsea ROVs, complete with accurate simulation of the operating environments.
OFF-THE-SHELF SIMULATION SOFTWARE BACKED BY FULL SUPPORT You don’t need to expend the substantial development and coding effort required to create efficient and reliable simulations in-house. That’s because Vortex supplies you with the required simulation capabilities right off the shelf. Vortex software can integrate with your development environment, in accordance with your needs, resources, and levels of expertise. Vortex reduces the risk of project rework, unexpected development costs, and delays—it meets the highest standards for quality control, with a testing framework that allows performance to be consistently measured for purposes of regression testing, verification, and validation. With Vortex, you can stay focused on your core expertise and project delivery requirements instead of simulation algorithms, solvers, and software code. Your dedicated CM Labs support team is standing by to help you get the most out of Vortex, throughout the lifecycle of your project.
IT’S NOT A GAME TO US The real cost of simulation Game physics provide the simulation for race car and action games. They’re ideal for the XboxTM and PlayStationTM. They’re designed for fast-paced action and exciting game play. In other words, they’re built to play nice with entertainment consoles. Unfortunately, you’re on your own when it comes to getting them to play nice with standard engineering software. The gaming industry does not provide support for the complex issues around delivery of engineering-grade mechanical dynamics simulations, such as project integration, verification, and long-term maintainability. Game engines also do not provide the testing platforms or dynamics expertise required to build reliable virtual training applications. That’s why using them as a basis for simulation applications introduces unacceptable risks when it comes to operator training—and that has real costs. These risks include but are not limited to: Reduced or negative skills transfer: Simulation-based learning does not transfer to the real world. Poor predictive analysis: The results of systems tests will yield incorrect predictions of outcome, with the potential for failure in the field. Negative training: Training results in acquisition of incorrect knowledge, skills, or behaviors.1 Game engines simply don’t supply the expert tools and utilities you need to build reliable simulations—and they shouldn’t be used for training or test applications at all. Because if the simulation isn’t right, the training won’t be right either.
VORTEX: SOFTWARE YOU CAN TRUST—AND VERIFY All Vortex software meets the highest standards for technical validation, with a testing framework that allows performance to be consistently measured for purposes of regression testing, verification, and validation. Well-defined outputs allow comparison with mathematical models of behavior, data from field measurements, and project requirements. Vortex Dynamics also provides developers with an interactive test environment where mechanisms can be edited and tested before deployment in a larger simulation environment. In addition, Vortex software is bundled with comprehensive documentation of workflows and processes for simulation verification and validation. Vortex results are proven. Hundreds of peer-reviewed academic research papers have been published using Vortex. It’s been validated again and again in tough environments such as defense ground vehicles and robotics. It is used by Honda, John Deere, L-3, Liebherr, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and over 100 other leading companies, defense organizations and academic institutions. All Vortex software development and engineering practices are ISO 9001:2008 certified.
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Simulation-based Military Training: An Engineering Approach to Better Addressing Competing Environmental, Fiscal, and Security Concerns
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR RAPID SOLUTION CREATION The Vortex platform includes all the core elements and modules you need to create interactive vehicle and mechanical equipment simulations in realistic virtual environments.
VORTEX DYNAMICS
Vortex Dynamics is software that’s specifically designed for high-fidelity, interactive simulation of the mechanical dynamics and contact physics of mechanisms such as vehicles, robots, and heavy equipment. Dynamics provides a cross-platform environment with built-in support for Vortex Scene Graph, OSG (Open Scene Graph), and Vega Prime for visualization.
VORTEX EDITOR
The Vortex Editor is a desktop-based editing tool built around Vortex, and gives you the ability to rapidly create and modify mechanisms and scenes. The Editor provides access to the Vortex Dynamics API through a point-and-click graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, it also includes live testing and validation capabilities, allowing you to edit mechanisms while running the simulation to monitor behavior and make changes immediately, without having to run an external application.
VORTEX PLAYER
Vortex Player is a desktop application for viewing and interacting with simulations created with Vortex Dynamics and the Vortex Editor.
VORTEX EARTHWORKS SYSTEMS
Vortex Earthworks Systems is an add-on module that allows you to easily add earth-moving capabilities to simulations. It provides a tool-set (truck bed, bucket, loader, etc.) similar to those found in industry-standard earth-moving equipment. It also provides the ability to create terrain zones where tools can interact with soil materials in various ways (including compression, cutting, piling, dumping, and sheering). Earthworks comes with predefined standard soil materials such as clay, sand, and loam.
VORTEX CABLE SYSTEMS
Vortex Cable Systems is an add-on module that provides realistic behavior for heavy-equipment, marine, and subsea cables. It is ideal for simulating hoisting equipment, wire rope, and chain, as well as robot tethers. Cable Systems includes simulation of winches and pulleys, and simulates cable interaction and collision with other dynamic Vortex objects or with themselves.
VORTEX VEHICLE SYSTEMS
Vortex Vehicle Systems is an add-on module that provides additional vehicle simulation services and utilities for both tracked and wheeled vehicles. These extended capabilities include engine, transmission, suspension, and steering simulation modules. The interaction between the terrain and tires or tracks can also be parameterized to account for varying traction performance on different terrain such as mud, sand, or asphalt.
EASY INTEGRATION WITH THIRD-PARTY TOOLS CO-SIMULATION
Vortex features add-ons for straightforward integration with tools such as MathWorks/SimulinkŽ, which makes it easy for you to integrate additional components, such as hydraulic and electrical models, or control systems, like braking, or robot vision. For example, robotic controllers developed within Simulink can be run on both real and simulated robots with equivalent results, saving significant system-level development time and prototype expense. Vortex’s out-of-the-box HLA capabilities can also be deployed toward instant integration with existing simulations/ federations, or extended to new federations and customized simulation solutions.
HARDWARE INTEGRATION
Vortex can easily integrate with complex hardware systems such as haptic devices and interfaces to real machine and control systems.
VISUAL SYSTEMS
Vortex integrates quickly and easily with any visualization solution. A detailed interface control document is available allowing easy integration with your existing control and visualization packages. Vortex also provides out-of-the-box integration with OpenSceneGraph and Vega Prime.
CLIENT SUCCESS CASSIDIAN: EOD ROBOT TRAINING SIMULATION Cassidian uses Vortex as the dynamics simulation engine for its EOD robotics training simulation application. Cassidian selected Vortex after a review process comparing a wide range of open source and commercial physics engines, citing the “much higher accuracy” of the Vortex engine, and its robust, stable performance.
RUAG DEFENCE: VIRTUAL DRIVER TRAINING RUAG Defence selected Vortex to power its next generation of virtual vehicle trainers for its fidelity, modularity, and ease of deployment. Vortex is being deployed for vehicle simulation of battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles in virtual urban, open terrain, and peace support operations.
FMC SCHILLING ROBOTICS: ROV PILOT TRAINING The FMC Schilling Robotics ROV pilot training simulator is powered by Vortex. It provides the industry’s highestfidelity simulation of ROV hydrodynamics, propulsion system, tethers, manipulators, and on-board sensors. The simulator is fully integrated with the FMC Schilling Robotics pilot console hardware and software to provide the next best thing to piloting the actual ROV.
AKER SOLUTIONS: HEAVY LIFT SIMULATION Aker Solutions was looking to simulate the operation of a new davit on an existing oil rig, for lift planning and operator training. The solution: CM Labs’ Vortex Dynamics and services for onsite training, onsite integration support, and software engineering services for crane/cable dynamics simulation. A key advantage consisted of Vortex’s ability to work within Aker Solutions’ simulation platform, which included a number of in-house tools as well as tie-ins to other simulation engines.
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. Through Vortex, CM Labs provides capabilities for training simulators, mission rehearsal, serious games, virtual prototyping, and testing. Vortex customers include Boeing, CAE, Honda, Elbit Systems, L-3, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and over 100 other leading companies and academic institutions. All Vortex software development and engineering practices are ISO 9001:2008 certified.
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