ReachEX Simulator Overview
with virtual reality and haptics feedback

We know that practical learning is rooted in real-world experience, at Serious Labs, we use groundbreaking technology to make training safer and more engaging than ever before. Introducing the ‘ReachEX simulator’ , a training simulator for an articulated boom lift - designed to allow your trainees to work through complex environments, in the safest possible way.

Designed to be used in conjunction with conventional training as part of a blended learning approach. Using state of the art virtual reality technology, we can now replicate real life training hazards minus the physical dangers - allowing trainees to make mistakes and learn in a safe and controlled environment.

Adopted by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in the US as the most effective and safe method of training, our sim training covers control familiarization, basic driving, and a number of operational problem areas.

Ultimately, our Reach EX simulator brings your learners closer to the real world experience, without the hazard of a work related incident. Getting to the roots of their learning experience..

United Rentals Partnership
Launch of United Academy 2013
Serious Labs entered a joint venture with United Rentals to develop and deliver premium blended online products. The launch of United Academy was to unify the fragmented construction training industry. Tracking and training of all certification via a single app and wallet card. Use of serious games to teach complex concepts.
United Academy Site
Implementation

The ReachEX simulator is best utilized between the theory portion of elevated work platform training and the practical evaluation. The ReachEX simulator offers workers a safe environment to explore the controls and build their confidence before operating the real equipment. Workers benefit from increased understanding of control familiarization and the level of risk assessment necessary during operation before entering the real equipment.

•The ReachEX simulator provides a base expectation and reduces anxiety for workers who are not acclimatized to working at height making their hands-on time with the instructor more effective.

•The ReachEX simulator records data about the worker’s actions during the simulation scenarios and then provides a scorecard on the worker’s critical behaviours during operation.

•The ReachEX simulator offers high risk scenarios in a safe environment for new operators and workers who have experience but who do not frequently operate ReachEX.

The User Experience

The ReachEX simulator combines the power of virtual reality with all the sensations of movement through haptics feedback to create an extremely realistic experience of working at height. It is the unique combination of motion and virtual reality which creates a visceral training event for maximum retention.

Ultimately, our MEWP simulator brings your worker closer to the real world experience, without the hazard of a work related incident.

Features

•The motion base allows the worker to feel the instability of an elevated work platform at height.

•Common control system provides an understanding of equipment operation and familiarization

•Virtual reality immerses the worker in a training experience which measures operational behaviour, risk assessment, and spatial awareness removing subjectivity surrounding success.

Oculus Rift CV1 Headset
Oculus Rift CV1 Headset

full immersion virtual reality headset

2160x1200 (1080X1200 per eye), 90Hz Display

100 Degree field of view

360 Degre, low latency, positional tracking

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Small Footprint
Small Footprint

(4’ by 8’ including tracking volume)

The small footprint of the simulator allows for installation in any location where training occurs.

Compared to other simulators, the AWP’s sim’s size greatly reduces shipping and installation costs.

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Universal Motion Base
Universal Motion Base

(750lb capacity, 350lb operator limit)

The simulator is designed around a universal motion base which contains the primary electronics and 4 high speed electric actuators.

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Replica Controller
Replica Controller

The control panel accurately recreates the layout, feel, and labeling of the real-world Aerial Work Platform.

The controller is modular, allowing for ease of servicing as well as customization to different models of equipment.

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Learning Objectives
The learner has the ability to experience situations that would not be practical or safe to demonstrate on an actual piece of equipment:

•Navigating tight corners. Workers are expected to complete complex maneuvers to prevent injuring themselves or damaging equipment due to common basket collisions.

•Understanding the directional arrows. ReachEX controls can sometimes be relative to the chassis, not the basket – new operators often overlook directional arrows to orientate the equipment’s drive controls, causing damage or harm due to movement in undesired directions.

•Complex basket positioning. The ReachEX simulator includes a wide variety of training scenarios which would be otherwise impractical for safe hands-on training, including overhanging obstacles, on-loading and offloading, and navigating steep inclines.

•Avoiding hazardous placement. The ReachEX simulator forces the trainee to position the ReachEX according to best practices, exposing common shortcuts and reducing the risk of real-world tip-over incidents.

Hazard and Safety

•Ensuring workers complete scenarios through the application of best practices, which reduces the possibility of crushing, ejection or tip-over. Goals must be achieved by reaching over, under, and around structures, lowering the boom before driving to a new location, and navigating rough terrain in a safe and controlled manner.

•Placing the worker in a situation where they do not know their current orientation and must use the directional arrows on the equipment to ensure the controls will move them in the desired direction. This scenario replicates a hazardous situation that can happen after hours of work and distraction in the field.

•Navigating an area where the worker must be aware of real-world hazards, especially power lines and unsafe ground conditions.

•Understanding complex navigation scenarios where the length of the ReachEX's boom can result in collisions, entrapment, or pinch hazards.

• Boomlifts result in 70% of Aerial-related construction deaths in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data). Causes of incidents resulting in death.
• Two-thirds of the deaths from collapses/tip-overs of boom lifts occurred when the bucket cable or boom broke or the bucket fell; almost one-third were due to tip-overs.
• Half of the falls from boom lifts involved being ejected from the bucket after being struck by vehicles, cranes, or crane loads, or by falling objects, or when a lift suddenly jerked.
• Half of the boom lift electrocutions involved body contact with overhead power lines, mostly involving electricians or electrical power installers and repairers. Over one-third of the electrocutions involved an overhead power line contacting the lift boom or bucket.
• In most of the caught in/between deaths, a worker was caught between the bucket edge and objects such as roof joists or beams while repositioning the bucket. (Deaths From Aerial Lifts: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training)