Murdoch Seems Poised To Drop WSJ's Paywall As Well

Forget Flight Simulator Training Pilots, How About A Dump Truck Simulator For Miners?

from the now-there's-an-idea dept

Tue, Sep 18th 2007 5:16pm — Mike Masnick

We've seen stories over the years about how applications like Microsoft's Flight Simulator not only are attracting a new generation of pilots to take up flying, but are getting them started with many more skills than those who haven't used Flight Simulator. It appears other industries may be taking notice. Apparently the industrial heavy equipment maker Caterpillar is pushing simulators of its earth movers, excavators and dump trucks as a way to better train miners to use that equipment. Using simulators to train people is nothing new, obviously -- but what's interesting is the undercurrent to the promotion, noting that there just aren't enough skilled operators of the equipment these days. However, by making it more fun via the simulators, perhaps they can attract more people to become skilled operators. The article notes how much fun a bunch of "hardened miners" were having playing with the simulators at a mining convention, to the point that they were "giggling like children." So perhaps we'll start seeing more "fun" simulations of other jobs that are having trouble attracting skilled practitioners.

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Filed Under: dump trucks, earth movers, excavators, flight simulator, mining
Companies: caterpillar

15 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 18 Sep 2007 @ 6:09pm

I know here in Oz some mining companies are offerig up to $100,000 per year for experienced truck drivers at the mines.

Maybe I'll have to find a truck simulator ....
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Morgan, 18 Sep 2007 @ 6:58pm

I've got an ultra-realistic simulation of what it's like to clean my house for anyone that's interested in a truly submersive experience. And the pay is lousy.
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Grady, 18 Sep 2007 @ 6:59pm

I'm not sure, but I think this is in the wrong topic. "(Mis)Uses of Technology" just doesn't seem to fit.
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John, 18 Sep 2007 @ 7:19pm

@Ana Coward
There are truck simulators www.ntts.edu, thats the older one. 100,000!?!? Give me the number :V. Over all, they really don't provide a subsitute for the real thing, the clutch, the noise, fully loaded, who farted in your mack truck last (don't ask). Nope no simulator can do that
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stephen, 18 Sep 2007 @ 7:55pm

other simulators i'd like to see
1. alaskan crab fisherman simulator. instead of vibrating when you do something wrong, the controller tears off one of your fingers.

2. bill buckner game six 1986 world series simulator. the simulation lasts one play. if you blow it, the controller sends you death threats and you and your family have to move.

3. crack whore simulator. if you do something wrong, the controller fucks you up.

4. quark's bar holosuite. whether you do something wrong or right the controller sucks away your latinum. unless the controller is really odo, in which case your problems are probably going to be magnified.

5. jekyll simulator. great game until you turn into hyde, if only because after you turn back you realize that hyde has once again forgotten to tell you where he put the controller.
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Tyler, 18 Sep 2007 @ 9:06pm

Don't mesh the 2
Anyone read Enders Game? Lets just hope the simulation isn't controlling a real life dump truck. Someone will be like, what happens if I drive off this cliff?
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Sep 2007 @ 10:01pm

"Anyone read Enders Game? Lets just hope the simulation isn't controlling a real life dump truck. Someone will be like, what happens if I drive off this cliff?"

Hey, nothing wrong with driving a truck or two off a cliff. Gives the guys working in salvage crews and truck factories something to do. You trying to put people out of work or something?
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Dewy, 18 Sep 2007 @ 10:16pm

Simulations and virtual environments have great potential for not only training, but also remote operation of vehicles in dangerous locations.

I say its only a matter of time before we're all telecommuting to a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) in space and mining an asteroid.
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The Swiss Cheese Monster, 19 Sep 2007 @ 12:40am

Giggling because they are running over work mates....
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technofear (profile), 19 Sep 2007 @ 1:21am

Trains as well as trucks
I was very disappointed when one of the multi-nationals our company contracts to decided not to upgrade its train simulator. Is used to train new drivers and current drivers on new track sections.

Much more invloved than you would think, is very easy to break a 2-3Km long train.

The multi-national instead decided to make the trains remote controlled (using our devices). So, hopefully I will not need a simulator, I will get to drive a train via a remote desktop client.
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Palehorse, 19 Sep 2007 @ 4:45am

Cars period
How about a good training simulator to teach teenagers how to drive. Something that throws snow, ice, fog, and idiot drivers at them at a pace that would teach them how to actually drive rather than relying on experience (read accidents) to teach them.
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 19 Sep 2007 @ 5:43am

Heh, nice
I love a lot of the replies here. Highly amusing =D
As soon as they start having terminator type battle droids remote controlled for battle, I am applying for the army.
All these years of video games will have paid off like there is no tomorrow.
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dazza, 11 Oct 2007 @ 4:10am

truck simulator
several mines in australia are now installing sims, as a real dumptruck operator I can tell you it will help the shortage of drivers.and as for pay $100 000 is low
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brandon, 4 Feb 2009 @ 1:41pm

Re:
were ar the games
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fuck my mum, 2 Mar 2009 @ 5:58am

balls
u should make 1 u ball bag
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