Serious Labs and Skyjack debut VR simulator

Serious Labs and Skyjack have developed a new virtual reality scissor lift operator training simulator. The companies will officially debut the simulator at the IPAF Summit and IAPAs, March 8, in Miami, and it will be for sale worldwide in April.

The scissor lift training scenarios, developed through guidance with Skyjack, will take the operator through realistic exercises of driving, turning, lifting and lowering. The scenarios will support a “generic” style of scissor lift – one diesel rough terrain and one electric slab – and provide the same feel and balance as being on the actual machine. A data-capture system records the operator’s achievements and failures, which can identify weaknesses for future improvement.

“Our collaboration with Skyjack is a natural partnership,” said Jim Colvin, CEO, Serious Labs. “With one in three scissor lifts sold worldwide being a Skyjack, they are the hands-down authority and gave us tremendous insight into the inner workings of this type of aerial.”

The scissor lift scenarios are being designed to comply with the new ANSI standards and the IPAF training program. The simulator’s training scenarios map 1:1 on assessment for certification validation while tracking the movement of best practices.

“We saw the Serious Labs approach with their boom training simulator and it just seemed natural that we should expand the scope to that product group,” said Brad Boehler, president, Skyjack. “As with other Skyjack products, we firmly believe the adoption of new technology should not mean the end result is more complicated. In fact, although we are utilizing advanced ideas, successful adoption really depends upon it being simple and reliable.”

According to Colvin, VR has finally arrived in the heavy equipment environment and his company’s technology makes a difference in worker safety and productivity.

“The goal of our operator training is to provide a safe environment to learn and make mistakes. But once those operators get on the job site, the goal is that they go home in the same shape as when they arrived. VR training helps achieve that.”

Nationwide Platforms in the UK was instrumental in designing the scenarios for the new scissor lift simulator. “Our partnership with Serious Labs is evidence of our commitment to improving safety in the industry and the adoption of this cutting-edge training tool is something we should all embrace,” said Peter Douglas, UK director of pperations, Nationwide Platforms.

United Rentals, which is a partner with Serious Labs, said it’s imperative for the industry to continue to embrace disruptive innovations when it comes to safety.

“The type of work that Serious Labs and Skyjack are doing with VR simulators is the future of safe equipment operations, and we stand ready to make it available industry-wide through United Academy training,” said Jim Dorris, United Rentals’ Vice President – Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability.

To see the simulator and program first-hand, make sure to book your spot for the IPAF Summit and IAPAs.