Press Release

CMLabs selected for real-time simulation project by Battelle

Vortex central to CMLabs’ delivery of cable simulation project

November 17, 2005 – Montreal, Canada — CMLabs Simulations Inc, developers of Vortex, the COTS software tool for modeling vehicles, machines and robots for high-fidelity, real-time, physics-based simulations, has been selected by the Battelle Memorial Institute for an explosive ordinance device (EOD) simulation project.

CMLabs will simulate the full dynamics of the vehicle and its fiber-optic tether in Battelle’s unmanned robotic vehicle simulator. This project will allow Battelle to simulate the cable deployment systems found on many remotely operated robot systems by leveraging the existing capabilities of the Vortex modeling platform.

Using a solution based on rigid-body dynamics, the scenarios to be simulated will replicate various complex operational behaviors as the robot navigates stairs, undulating terrain, and corridors with several turns. The simulation will include collisions and contacts between the vehicle and the tether, as well as between the tether and the virtual environment. Vortex’ accurate geometric collision detection and contact computation – newly updated to handle cables – will correctly reproduce normal and problematic conditions such as dragging the tether over obstacles, driving over the tether, and pinches, knots, and snags in the tether. The simulation also computes the load exerted on the robot by the tether due to contacts with the environment, and the drags and friction forces exerted by the reel assembly on both the tether and the vehicle, thus allowing for meaningful operator training.

The Vortex solution for simulating ropes, cables, and other flexible objects is a lumped element model with rigid elements. This allows the simulation of cable torsion, bending, and contacts with other rigid bodies in the environment – something not easily available with other cable simulation methods.

About CMLabs
CMLabs provides specialized physics-based behavior modeling for real-time simulation. CMLabs’ combination of professional services and innovative software tools enable developers to create high-fidelity interactive applications. CMLabs’ commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product Vortex is the leading development platform for modeling physics-based vehicles, machines and robots. Vortex is used by applications developers to build physically accurate motion models and interactive behaviors for demanding industrial applications such as training, virtual reality, and robotics and general visualization.

For more information, please visit CMLabs on the web at www.cm-labs.com or email info@cm-labs.com.

About Battelle
Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs it manages or co-manages, oversees 19,000 staff members and conducts $2.9 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on compact disc technology, medical technology advancements, and fiber optic technologies.

For more information on Battelle, visit www.battelle.org or contact Media Relations Manager Mark Berry at (614) 424-5544 or at berrym@battelle.org.