V-Fork, the virtual reality evolution of the forklift simulator
Job Simulator for overhead crane use and interaction with vfork
The first forklift simulator
V-FORK simulator
The new La Cisa Academy simulator uses virtual reality technology with a 360-degree viewer integrated with an electromechanical system, for the simulation of logistics handling in different work environments, atmospheric or unexpected situations.
The advantage of this new mobile system is to provide training courses in simulation driving at the customer’s premises, reproducing the same features available with the simulator on Stewart platform, but in an even more immersive and innovative environment.
The V-Fork simulator also provides a score during each driving action, to make the driving experience even more captivating: in this way a competition mechanism is established with oneself or between drivers, useful for increasing concentration and commitment with a view to achieving a better result. Furthermore, the evaluation history is stored to repeat the guide after some time and trace the improvement path.
How does it work?
Instead of the driver’s cab body, the V-Fork simulator is made up of the minimum necessary components of a forklift truck: a seat, a pedalboard, the steering wheel and the controls.
The new La Cisa Academy simulator uses virtual reality technology with a 360-degree viewer integrated with a mechanical platform consisting of a “walking” base that allows two different types of training:
- Overhead crane use.
- Man on the ground for integration with the trolley simulator.
Job Simulator – Overhead Crane
The overhead crane mode allows to immerse the personnel in a virtual indoor environment where they can choose different types of materials to be handled and where they can practice, in total safety, with different equipment of the overhead crane.
During these exercises the user is guided by arrows that indicate which movements to carry out, at the end of the “game” he is evaluated according to the precision of the load, the center of gravity and the execution time, assigning a score based on the performance.
Ground Operator – Integration with VforRk
The shared environment mode with the forklift simulator, on the other hand, allows an experiential training of interaction between forklift operator and ground operator within shared virtual environments.
The training objectives of these shared sessions are:
- Increase safety,
- Optimize processes,
- Improve communication between operators.
Another positive aspect of training in VR is that the activities carried out, throughout the training session, can be recorded and then analyzed later to assess and correct any non-compliant behavior, as well as keep track of the scores obtained by being able to compare them at a distance of time.
SIMULATOR ON STEWART PLATFORM
Born from a collaboration between the researchers of the Istituto Universitario Sant’Anna of Pisa and the technicians of La Cisa, the simulator was completed in 2015 and it became an instrument in use at La Cisa Academy in Dalmine for the training of internal and external staff.
Inspired by aeronautics and created for the dynamic needs of each type of vehicle, the simulator reproduces movements and scenarios at the wheel of a forklift truck, offering an innovative and protected environment to learn or improve the behavior while driving forklifts.
Its peculiarity is the possibility to simulate different working environments, atmospheric situations, unforeseen events (such as breakdowns or ground personnel), so as to provide a variety of situations impossible to achieve through normal on-the-job courses.
How does it works?
The simulator reproduces a forklift body mounted on a mobile platform capable of simulating different movements such as acceleration, braking, steering, tipping and collisions.
Thanks to four 3D projectors and a 360° sound system, the experience faithfully reproduces the working environment and hypothetical scenarios, such as bar and warehouse parks, or special conditions such as changes in weather conditions, additional vehicles and people, mechanical failures.
