Home » CM Labs’ History
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.