Rémi Philippon
The La Peyrouse establishment in Coulounieix-Chamiers inaugurated its agricultural machinery simulator this Tuesday, January 14. This innovative tool will prepare future operators to operate machines in conditions close to real life.
Tractor, telescopic or even mini-excavator’ All smiles, the students and teaching staff of the Agrocampus Périgord in Coulounieix-Chamiers, inaugurated the agricultural machinery simulator, this Tuesday, January 14. Installed at the beginning of December on the premises of the establishment, this innovative tool allows students and apprentices to practice behind a screen in conditions close to reality. “It complements the driving training they have in parallel,” says Olivier Herber, teacher and trainer.
Similar to a tractor, this video game-style toy is equipped with several features with similar controls. Touch screen, steering wheel, joystick, pedals and a seat that moves depending on the topography, everything is there to immerse yourself in the cabin of an agricultural machine and be in a professional situation.
Adapt good reflexes
For educational staff, it is a real training tool. In fact, the equipment is connected remotely and the trainer can consult the students’ journeys since each profile is recorded. “There is monitoring which allows us to provide feedback to the students. The idea is to see their evolution and come back to certain points by correcting the mistakes. It’s an educational journey over several hours to validate all the mastery boxes,” underlines Olivier Herber.
-The objective is therefore to advance the manipulators so that they fully take ownership of agricultural machines and that everyone is at the same level. “Some have skills because they were born in the agricultural world and were accustomed to it. For others, it’s a total discovery, they’re driving for the first time,” explains the teacher.
Although the investment in this tool is colossal (around 80,000 euros, 50% financed by the Region and partners), this device also makes it possible to raise awareness of safety by taking into account all risk factors. “They acquire the right gestures and behaviors,” notes Marie-Ange Boyer, director of the CFA. Enough to prepare future operators to operate machines by adopting the right reflexes.
