History: CM Labs, Vortex®,
and Simulation Research

CM Labs is the leading provider of simulation training solutions for heavy equipment operation in the construction, utilities, and ports industries. With 1,200 installations across 44 countries, numerous awards, and 300+ academic papers to its name, CM Labs has achieved worldwide recognition for the quality of its solutions.

From the inception of its pioneering Vortex® physics engine to the unveiling of Intellia, the world’s first Intelligent Training System, CM Labs has consistently redefined the benchmarks for excellence and innovation in simulation and simulation training. Explore the milestones that have defined this revolutionary journey and discover how CM Labs’ cutting-edge solutions continue to shape the future of operator training and simulation technology.

2001

The Birth of Vortex®

CM Labs Simulations began as a company with a singular mission: to create software toolkits for engineering quality physics-based simulation.

That early work led to the development of a toolkit that revolutionized the entire field of simulation. This new simulation toolkit, which included an original physics engine, provided a level of detail that had never been seen before—and could even operate in real time. It also offered the perfect foundation for building a wide range of simulation-based solutions, including virtual heavy equipment operator training.

Named Vortex®, that simulation toolkit allowed CM Labs to simulate things no other company in the world could do. Even today, the Vortex engine lies at the core of all CM Labs products. It powers all Intellia Training Packs and Add-On Modules, as well as Vortex® Studio, the platform for developing and launching real-time, interactive simulations of mechanical systems.

2001

Critical Mass Systems becomes CM Labs Simulations and splits from MathEngine.

CM Labs releases Vortex® Studio.

2002-2010

CM Labs’ Custom Simulation Projects Era

After the breakthrough development of Vortex®, CM Labs quickly built a reputation as a provider of premier custom simulation solutions. Working with clients in fields as diverse as medicine, space exploration, aviation, defense, forestry, nuclear energy, offshore oil rigs, ports, and construction, CM Labs established itself as a company capable of simulating things that had been previously considered too complex to accomplish.

Knowing that its cutting-edge technology was what set it apart, CM Labs also laid the groundwork for continued research in simulation. It began working with McGill in what would eventually become a decades-long research partnership spanning numerous papers and breakthroughs on topics such as soil interaction, cables, and rigid body systems.

2005

CM Labs partners with OETIO and also begins work on the development of crane simulators.

2008

CM Labs begins a partnership support program with McGill.

2010

CM Labs develops simulations of the Mars Sojourner Rover and Lunar Electric Rover for NASA, which it uses as an educational tool for high school students to increase interest in STEM careers.

CM Labs develops high-quality simulators for Liebherr.

2011-2013

The Dawn of Simulation Training Systems

As CM Labs grew, it began developing off-the-shelf offerings for heavy equipment operator training.

By incorporating simulation into training programs, early adopters were able to experience previously unheard-of improvements in productivity and safety incident reduction. They were also able to shorten training times, reduce costs, and even reduce emissions.

CM Labs Simulation 2011 Simulator Set Up

2011

CM Labs launches its first off-the-shelf simulation training packs for heavy equipment operator training.

2012

CM Labs moves location to a new office in Montreal’s Cité du Multimédia—the city’s hub of innovation.

2013

The Vortex Master simulator is released.

2014-2019

Exponential Growth and Groundbreaking Simulation Research

During this period in its history, CM Labs continued to innovate its core simulation technology and grow its off-the-shelf product line, while receiving numerous accolades for both.

CM Labs won awards for groundbreaking discoveries in soil simulation and cable simulation, as well as entrepreneurship. Its new simulators and heavy equipment training packs also garnered awards and attention among a growing base of technology-minded construction contractors, training schools, ports, trades organizations, and unions.

2015 Deloitte Award - CM Labs Simulations
From left to right: Sylvain Lagace (COO), Robert Weldon (CEO), Arnold Free (Shareholder and Co-Founder), and Marie Agned Chavanne (Representative of Desjardins Capital de Risque, Former Stakeholder)

2014

CM Labs is named in Deloitte’s Canadian Technology Fast 50™ and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™.

Daniel Holz, an engineer at CM Labs, wins the “Best Paper Award” at IDETC-CIE for his paper titled “Dynamics Simulation of Rovers on Soft Terrain: Theory, Algorithms, and Experimental Validation

An early version of what would eventually become the Vortex Edge Plus and the Vortex Trainer is released.

CM Labs develops crane simulation solutions with Mammoet.

2015

For a second year, CM Labs is named in Deloitte’s Canadian Technology Fast 50™ and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™.

CM Labs CEO Robert Weldon is nominated as a finalist for the 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ award.

CM Labs wins the 10th Annual Prix Desjardins Entrepreneurs pour Commerce International Ouest du Québec et Ontario.

2016

CM Labs Simulations launches its new simulator, the Vortex Advantage.

The Vortex Trainer simulator for ports is released.

CM Labs and McGill collaborate on a paper for the European Space Agency (ESA) on simulations of space debris capture.

2017

Marek Teichmann, CTO of CM Labs, in collaboration with Sheldon Andrews and Paul G. Kry of McGill, completes breakthrough research in cable simulation.

2018

CM Labs and Dr. Jozsef Kövecses, McGill University associate professor, win the 2018 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Synergy Award for Innovation for their work on hyper-realistic simulation of the physical world.

CM Labs’ earthmoving simulations are selected by the editors of Heavy Equipment Guide magazine as one of the Top Innovations for 2018.

CM Labs partners with Manitowoc to develop and deliver a series of simulators that showcase Manitowoc’s intuitive new Crane Control System (CCS).

2019

CM Labs opens a second office in Laval.

The Motor Grader Simulator Training Pack wins a Top New Product award from the editors of Construction Equipment magazine.

CM Labs releases the integration Vortex® Studio for Unreal Engine.

2020-2023

Further Expansion With Off-The-Shelf Training Packs and the Vortex Edge Series

While weathering the challenges of the pandemic, CM Labs made several important developments. This included expanding its product line in construction to offer solutions that were more portable. This marked a pivotal moment not just in CM Labs’ history, but in the history of simulation and heavy equipment operator training. Now there were solutions (including off-the-shelf heavy equipment training packs, as well as the Vortex Edge Plus and Vortex Edge Max simulators) that made it easier than ever for organizations to incorporate simulation into their training initiatives.

CM Labs also began exploring simulation’s potential in certifying and recertifying operators. Over the course of four days, an operator with some prior experience in earthmoving equipment but none with cranes received one-on-one coaching from a trainer and completed self-guided practice using the CM Labs Flat-Top Tower Crane Training Pack on a Vortex Advantage simulator. At the end of the four days, that operator was able to take the written exam, followed by a 30-minute qualification test using the Flat-Top Tower Crane Training Pack, based on the real-world CCO exam. The whole demonstration took place at the construction trade show Bauma in front of a multitude of witnesses, and showcased a new way forward in safe, affordable, and efficient operator training.

This chapter in CM Labs’ history also marked the beginning of several new and important partnerships—with IBEW and Altec—within the utilities sector. During this time, CM Labs developed the world’s first and only digger derrick simulation training solution, entering the utilities market with a groundbreaking new way to train operators safely and prepare them for certification testing.

In addition, CM Labs began to refine its instructor tools with the launch of the Intellia brand of classroom support applications and training packs, including Intellia Instructor, the first intelligent training system. This focus on educational tools would mark the beginning of a brand-new revolution in operator training that CM Labs would continue to expand upon in the years to come.

crane certification on simulator at bauma 2022

2020

CM Labs launches the Vortex Edge Max.

CM Labs conducts modeling work for NATO.

2021

The Vortex Trainer is reworked and adapted to the construction market, released under the name Vortex Edge Plus.

CM Labs Simulations enters into a partnership agreement with leading forestry equipment manufacturer Tigercat Industries to develop a series of state-of-the-art simulation training solutions.

CM Labs partners with Trimble® to bring the Trimble® Earthworks Grade Control Platform to select training packs.

2022

2023

CM Labs partners with Altec and enters the utilities market with the world’s first digger derrick simulation training solution.

CM Labs is named one of 2023’s Top Construction Technology Firms™ by Construction Executive.

The Vortex MasterCab simulator is launched.

CM Labs launches Intellia Instructor at the Utility Expo 2023.

2024-Present

The Arrival of Intellia, the Intelligent Training System

Today, CM Labs proudly extends its tradition of pioneering advancements with the introduction of the Intellia™ brand. Intellia™ encompasses a comprehensive suite of classroom support applications and training packs, forming an Intelligent Training Management System. This system revolutionizes the scalability of training programs and enhances personalized instruction capabilities. It transforms the delivery, management, and reporting of heavy equipment simulation training across organizations. While Intellia™ represents a significant milestone, it also upholds CM Labs’ longstanding commitment to innovation.

Intellia Logo

2024

CM Labs opens its Orlando office.

CM Labs launches Intellia, the world’s first Intelligent Training System for simulation.

CM Labs rebrands its hardware, renaming its Vortex Edge, Trainer, Advantage, and Master simulators as the CM Labs Edge, Advantage, and Master Series.

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CM Labs has over 1,200 installations in 44 countries