Simlog Blog
Simulation for training, as we know it today, began back in 1934 when Ed Link sold his “Pilot Maker” to the (USA) Army Air Corps to help train people to fly the first airplanes. But simulation for training people to operate heavy equipment in forestry, construction, mining, and material handling, continues to be something “new”, and so this blog is meant to help you learn more.
The fact is, after more than 25 years as Simlog’s President (and Founder), and 15 years of work before that in engineering and university research, I’ve developed a unique perspective on what’s really important (and what’s not), and so I hope that you’ll find these entries informative.
Paul Freedman, Ph.D., P. Eng.
May 1
2026
2026
Starting with the “Link Trainer” back in 1929, motion has been an important part of simulation to help train pilots to fly airplanes. And that’s why a “Full Flight Simulator” is equipped with a motion base that moves in all directions, to create sufficient realism. Nonetheless, many years of (military) (...)
Mar 31
2026
2026
Time was, it took real strength to operate the controls in the cabs of heavy equipment. But with everything computerized these days, anyone with two hands and two feet (and eyes and ears) can do just fine, male or female, big or small.
Mar 20
2026
2026
The Workforce Turnover Problem Companies in all sectors, including logistics, continue to face workforce challenges [1]. What’s typically measured is workforce turnover, i.e. the percentage of your permanent workforce that you “replace” each year. Here are some turnover numbers from the Material Handling Institute’s Warehousing Education Research Council (WERC) “DC (...)
Feb 18
2026
2026
Being safe: no accidents, no damaged equipment, no personal injury (or worse). And that’s why a good lift truck operator is always, first and foremost, safe, so the right kind of training simulation should emphasize learning-to-be-safe. But what does that mean? The fact is, everyone learns everything by making mistakes. (...)
Feb 17
2026
2026
There is increasing interest in using “Virtual Reality” (VR) Headsets such as Meta’s “Quest”, HTC’s “Vive”, and Varjo’s “XR” for simulator-based training [1]. The idea: when you turn your head, movement is detected by “head-tracking” electronics in the VR Headset, and then what you see on the two small displays (...)