CM Labs Launches VR Bucket Truck Training
The expanded simulation curriculum pairs virtual-reality headsets with Altec ISO-grip physical controls for utility workers.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Utilities
CM Labs has rolled out virtual-reality training for its Bucket Truck Simulation Curriculum on the Edge Plus simulator. The expanded program pairs VR headsets with physical Altec ISO-grip controls to prepare trainees for utility bucket truck operations.
Why it matters
Utility work involves high-risk equipment operation, and simulation-based training offers a way to build operator skills before trainees work at height. The curriculum is part of CM Labs' broader Intellia Workforce Training System, which is aimed at the utility industry's workforce needs.
The announcement reports no revenue, pricing, or deployment figures for the curriculum. The extraction does not state how many trainees or utility operators have used the system.
The players
CM Labs
CM Labs is a company that develops simulation-based training solutions for industrial sectors, including the utility industry.
Altec
Altec is an American manufacturer of utility work equipment, including aerial devices and bucket trucks, whose ISO-grip controls are used in the training setup.
The details
CM Labs added dynamic fault injection, weather control, and Record and Replay features to the curriculum, letting instructors alter conditions and review trainee performance. Trainees look around the virtual operating environment through headsets while manipulating physical Altec ISO-grip controls.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: CM Labs announces the expanded Bucket Truck Simulation Curriculum.
Industry Context
Utility crews train on the same Altec ISO-grip control layout found on production bucket trucks, so this VR system reproduces the physical interface rather than a generic joystick. The approach places simulation alongside real equipment rather than replacing it.
Utility workers who train on this VR system practice bucket truck controls before climbing into a real truck. Training providers and utilities gain a way to rehearse fault and weather scenarios without exposing crews to field risk.
The takeaway
Simulation paired with real equipment controls can build operator skill before field work begins. Utilities weighing training upgrades may find this hybrid model worth evaluating against their own safety and workforce goals.
Further reading
Explore more Utilities coverage for context on how the sector is adopting new workforce training tools.
Source note: This article includes information reported by T&D World.
