The training company’s simulator aims to help crane operators learn in a safe, controlled setting.
Industrial Training International (ITI), an Interplay Learning company, has bagged a slot as a finalist in the CONEXPO/CON-AGG Next Level Awards for its VR Crane Simulator, joining a group of 20 companies that were shortlisted from over 230 submissions from major players in global construction.
The simulator was named a finalist in the Technology category of the CONEXPO/CON-AGG Next Level Awards, which recognize groundbreaking work by companies developing cutting-edge, innovative products, technologies, and services to advance the construction ecosystem.
ITI’s VR Crane Simulator aims to make the learning process safer and more accessible to crane operators by allowing them to train in a controlled, virtual setting.
“Workforce readiness is a central concern for any construction firm, and one of the best ways to address it is with a modern, forward-thinking approach to in-house training,” said Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning. “ITI’s VR Crane Simulator provides a groundbreaking way for workers to sharpen their skills and develop their confidence, all without risking their safety or taking critical equipment out of production.”
The simulator, first developed in 2016, has recently undergone several enhancements, including the addition of a new ten-ton overhead crane and the ability to accommodate more complex, diverse training scenarios.
VR crane training is increasingly being adopted by many organizations to create immersive, controlled learning environments where trainees can refine their skills and rehearse complex scenarios without risk. They excel in a few areas specifically: reducing training times, improving employee engagement, and ensuring uniform access to high-quality training experiences.
Currently, the VR Crane Simulator supports nine distinct crane types and includes over 1,000 different scenarios that allow professionals to polish specific skills and review pre-made lesson plans during practice in a controlled environment.
Trainees can use the new ten-ton overhead crane, carefully crafted to align with real-world crane training, to safely practice complex lifting scenarios and gain confidence.
ITI has also added the Magnetek XLTX Bellybox Transmitter to the simulator, created in partnership with Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a well-known manufacturer of crane controls.
The transmitter has an ergonomic design, built to improve operator comfort and withstand tough, industrial environments while providing a versatile, flexible configuration that mimics a real crane’s controls. It gives trainees the chance to experiment with different programmable inputs and frequency bands under realistic conditions.
Interplay Learning, recognized for its contribution to immersive learning for skilled trades, acquired ITI, known for its specialized industrial learning offerings, in 2024.
Together, the two industry leaders have been working to enhance workflow readiness and combat labor shortages across the industry through immersive training solutions like the VR Crane Simulator.
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