Articulated Mining Truck Simulator

Articulated mining trucks are robust cargo vehicles specially designed for high-production mining and heavy construction operations. Unlike rigid trucks, they feature a central joint connecting the front cab to the rear body, giving them greater maneuverability on rough terrain. In addition, they have four-wheel drive, powering all axles to improve their movement on difficult surfaces.

These high-tonnage articulated trucks are used to transport large volumes of material in large-scale mining operations.

The rear hopper of the articulated mining truck is raised by a hydraulic system so that the loaded material can be unloaded onto the ground from the rear of the vehicle. Its multi-axle structure and central articulation allow it to maneuver in tight spaces or complex terrain, making it particularly useful in quarries or areas with uneven roads. Thanks to this design, the rear wheels of the truck follow the direction of the front wheels, facilitating tight turns and improving stability on slopes.

Why use the LSyM articulated mining truck simulator?

Thanks to the articulated mining truck simulator developed by the LSyM group, operators will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to avoid or know how to act in risky situations such as:

• Collisions with stationary or moving objects
• Entrapment by or between objects, or by overturned machines
• Thermal and/or electrical contact
• Fires
• Accidents, collisions, and crashes with or against vehicles
• Falls from loading ramps

Equipment

• Real operation console.
• Cabin implemented on a platform with 2 to 6 degrees of freedom.
• Real controls.
• Realistic machine and environmental sounds.
• Instructor console with full control of the simulation.
• Projection system with 2 to 5 high-resolution screens.

Visualization System

• Highly realistic 3D graphics.
• Shader implementation to achieve an even higher level of graphic quality.
• External views showing machine parameters.
• Multiple cameras allowing the user to change the viewpoint.
• Warning lights HUD.
• High-quality shadows.
• User-friendly graphical interface.

Special Conditions

Possibility to work under different time settings: dawn, morning, afternoon, sunset, night

Weather conditions: wind, rain, fog, etc.

Other conditions

• Realistic collision response depending on the severity of the impact.
• Environmental conditions: smoke, dust, etc.

Main Features

• Development of an immersive environment based on "Virtual Reality", replicating the real work environment of a quarry.
• Dynamic terrain.
• Retarder braking system.
• Real machine start-up and shutdown sequence.
• Accurately simulated vehicle transmission.
• Simulation of both automatic and manual gearboxes.
• Simulation of all machine joints and hydraulic pistons.
• Main accelerations and movements perceived in the cabin.
• Machine response depending on the load.
• Real-time fault injection by the instructor.
• Collaborative mode, allowing multiple users to interact with each other.
• Avatars.
• Auxiliary window showing machine status, position, and operating commands.
• On-screen information available for both user and instructor.
• Multi-language support.
• Fully configurable sensors.
• Online system for reporting failures or client feedback.
• Theoretical training module.
• Softpanel that allows machine and implement control through the PC mouse.

For our articulated mining truck simulator, a complete instructional design has been implemented, divided into blocks. Each of these blocks includes a series of exercises that progressively increase in difficulty as the student completes them. The user of our simulator will be able to perform, among others, the following exercises:

• Multiple-choice questionnaire.
• Learning and recognition of controls.
• Basic driving and parking.
• Advanced driving with and without load.
• Material loading exercises.
• Material unloading exercises.
• Maneuvering exercises under adverse weather conditions.