CM Labs Simulations Interview and Demo at The Utility Expo 2025

At the 2025 Utility Expo, CM Labs demonstrated how realism and data-driven insight are redefining heavy equipment training. Kristyna Jirasek from CM Labs walked us through their latest innovations, including the release of their Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) simulator—an industry-first offering designed to bridge the gap between theory and field experience.

Building Better Operators Through Simulation

At the heart of CM Labs’ exhibit was the five-display Advantage simulator, a full-motion training platform capable of replicating real-world construction and utility scenarios with extraordinary accuracy. “This is our top-of-the-line simulator for construction and utilities,” Jirasek explained. “We’re running our new HDD drill here, which we just released at Utility Expo.”

Each simulator integrates with Drone View, a tool that gives instructors an aerial perspective to monitor operator technique, and Intellia Instructor, a performance dashboard that captures completion times, task accuracy, and overall scoring. “It’s great for vetting new operators,” Jirasek said. “You can objectively see who’s ready for the field.”

Desktop Training, Scalable Learning

Next to the Advantage model sat CM Labs’ Edge Plus desktop simulator—an affordable, compact training option ideal for classroom settings. It uses the same control logic and software but without the motion base. Starting at around $25,000 USD, it offers schools, training centers, and utilities a cost-effective way to scale learning without compromising quality.

“We’ve built it for classrooms that need multiple units,” Jirasek noted. “It’s the same software foundation—just without motion feedback.”

From the Field to the Screen

One of CM Labs’ most talked-about innovations is their Walkaround Inspection module—a desktop and online simulation designed to teach pre-operation equipment checks before trainees ever touch real machinery.

The interactive inspection tasks users with identifying issues such as loose tracks or faulty lighting, reinforcing safety fundamentals. Jirasek explained, “We’re starting to offer this as an online option so OEMs and training centers can deploy it anywhere in the world.”

This flexibility supports both standalone training and integration with third-party LMS platforms through SCORM or xAPI standards. “We have a lot of OEMs who want to white-label this for their own equipment,” she added.

Powered by Vortex Studio

Behind all CM Labs simulators lies Vortex Studio, their proprietary simulation engine. While the visuals run on Unity, the underlying physics are all CM Labs’ own. “We built the software about 25 years ago,” Jurassic said. “A lot of OEMs use it to prototype equipment before production.”

That dual-purpose approach—simulation for training and prototyping—underscores CM Labs’ deep engineering roots and their reputation as more than just a training company.

Why It Matters for Technical Communicators

For technical communication professionals, CM Labs’ ecosystem offers a glimpse into the future of interactive learning and operator readiness. Their modular training approach—desktop to immersive—embodies the kind of content adaptability many tech comm teams aim for: one core model, multiple delivery formats, measurable performance outcomes.

As industries continue to digitize field training and prioritize safety, CM Labs’ focus on physics-based realism and LMS compatibility could become a benchmark for how technical documentation and experiential training intersect.

Learn More

CM Labs has installations in over 50 countries and offers simulation solutions for construction, utilities, ports, and material handling. Explore their full product line and new HDD simulator at cm-labs.com.