Immersive highlights autonomous fleet training & support in 30th year

In its 30th anniversary year, Immersive Technologies says it has powered ahead in delivering a record number of workforce development and mine training solutions for the industry, leading to significant growth in its product and services portfolio.

It adds that through a commitment to achieve measurable return on investment for its customers a number of milestones were recently achieved. It has exported to its 50th country with new customers in Guinea and Madagascar, plus increased revenue by almost 30% for the year ending March 2023. In that year it has also sold more than 40 simulator platforms to customers worldwide and delivered a record number of continuous improvement projects in mine safety, production and machine reliability. Plus it hasrenewed Technical Information sharing agreements with Liebherr, Hitachi and Komatsu.

Over the past 24 months, Immersive Technologies has sold over 200 simulator Conversion Kit®modules with volumes split between Caterpillar® type kits 36%, Komatsu 34%, Sandvik 9%, Liebherr 9%, Hitachi 6%, and sales of Toyota, Epiroc, Volvo and Scania, representing the balance.

The company also says it had a very healthy development pipeline of new Conversion Kit® modules for a diverse range of OEMs. “This is set to continue with projects underway for new and existing customers for heavy machinery manufactured by Caterpillar, Epiroc, Sandvik, Hitachi, Komatsu and Liebherr.

Recently, Immersive Technologies released new simulator modules (Conversion Kits®) for the Liebherr R9600 excavator, Liebherr R9800 shovel, Cat 6060 shovel/excavator, Komatsu PC7000-11 shovel (diesel/electric) and excavator (diesel), Sandvik LH517i underground loader and Sandvik TH663i underground truck.

Notably, for autonomous haulage customers the Immersive Technologies product range continues to grow and supports multiple machine groups and machine models, with Immersive offering customers who run Komatsu autonomous solutions support for light vehicle, excavator, hydraulic shovel, electric rope shovel, wheel loader, dozer, grader and manual haul truck training. For customers operating the Caterpillar autonomous system support is provided for training across excavator, hydraulic shovel, electric rope shovel, wheel loader, dozer and grader functionality.

The comprehensive suite of training solutions includes eLearning, desktop simulation (virtual classroom), pre-start machine inspection (touchscreen 3D interactive models), add on autonomous haulage system panels for simulators and VR based scenarios for an extensive range of operator and supervisor scenarios. Customers using the solutions include Rio Tinto, Anglo American, BHP, FMG, AMSA, Codelco, Teck, Vale and Boliden.

“Our investment in simulators for a diverse range of OEM’s machines is increasing, driven by demand from our customers. Immersive has always focused on the needs of our customers, most of whom operate mixed OEM fleets. Immersive Technologies’ acquisition by Komatsu has not changed our strategy, we will continue to support machines from all OEM’s, that’s what our mining customers demand,” said David Anderson, CEO of Immersive Technologies.

Immersive Technologies says its “proven and verifiable success in increasing mine profitability by optimising the safety and productivity of equipment operators is driving the ongoing growth. These results are driven by a clear focus on integrating People, Process and Technology to reduce risk, improve training impact and effectively manage the training process.”