The Immersive Technologies IM360+ is, this week, being unveiled for the first time publicly at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, along with never before seen visual system innovations to drive value for underground miners, the company says.

This solution is designed for underground miners, who often face unique challenges in equipment operator training.

Equipped with a best-in-class visual system, the IM360+ is the first underground mining simulator to combine stereoscopic 3D, photo-realistic graphics and RealView™ head tracking technology, Immersive claims. “The IM360+ delivers realism and training value at a level not previously seen by the underground mining industry,” it added.

The platform builds on the success of previous Immersive Technologies platforms that have trained over 250,000 mining equipment operators across 51 countries.

Immersive says the IM360+ offers:

• High Fidelity – class-defining 3D stereoscopic display system with true to life graphics delivers depth perception and sensory immersion at the highest levels possible;
• Reliability & asset life – designed to operate continuously in harsh mining environments, the IM360+ uses professional-grade components with extremely high uptime. The platform is based on the most durable design in mining simulation that has a proven asset life of 10-plus years.
• Training Value – providing best-in-class training value and continuous improvement capability, the IM360+ incorporates new technologies designed to increase training retention and trainer efficiency. Mine owners and contractors can expect the highest level of skills transfer to the job in the shortest time possible, creating real operational value, Immersive says; and
• Safety & Comfort – the IM360+ incorporates best-in-class safety and comfort with air conditioning and heating capacity for the most extreme environments, zero trip ultra-low profile motion platform, and positive pressure airflow system to prevent dust entering from the mining environment.

David Anderson, CEO, Immersive Technologies, said: “Our close collaboration with mining companies paired with our extensive mining technology experience is a catalyst for innovation to solve real mining challenges. At MINExpo 2021 we launched the PRO5 for surface mining and the uptake has been massive due to the training value of stereoscopic 3D and true to life graphics. We knew that underground miners needed a similar capability, so we launched the IM360+ at MINExpo 2024. This is another big step towards our mission to make resource companies measurably safer and more profitable.”

Immersive says its Advanced Equipment Simulators are the mining industry’s benchmark solution for operator training and workforce optimisation. These platforms have verified real results from the likes of BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale, Glencore, Barrick, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan and Anglo American.