Launch of "METATORE," a next-generation excavator simulator for the construction and civil engineering industry

Supporting new-hire training, safety education and skills transfer: a construction machinery training system that enables near-real operation training in a virtual space

World Area Networks Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; CEO: Ayumu Mitani) will launch sales of "METATORE," a next-generation excavator simulator for the construction and civil engineering industry, at "CSPI-EXPO 2026," one of the largest exhibitions for the construction and surveying industries.

METATORE is a training system that uses 3DCG and physics simulation technology to let trainees practice operating construction machinery in a virtual space that closely resembles a real construction site. Basic operation training before using real machines, advance checks of hazardous situations, and scenario training tailored to site conditions can all be carried out safely and efficiently.

Official website: https://metatore.wan-hiroshima.jp/

What is METATORE?

"METATORE" is a construction machinery training platform that supports new-hire training, safety education, skill acquisition and the transfer of expertise at construction and civil engineering sites.

In the virtual space, trainees can repeatedly practice basic excavator operations such as traveling, swinging, digging, leveling and slope shaping. Risks that can occur on real sites, such as buried pipes, pedestrians, vehicles and narrow roads, can also be built into scenarios.

Training with real machines can bring challenges such as accident risk, fuel costs, scheduling of equipment and the burden on instructors. METATORE addresses these challenges by providing an environment for safe, repeated training in a virtual space, helping to develop young talent and make on-site education more efficient.

Key features

1. Training with a feel close to the real machine

METATORE reproduces changes in the field of view and the behavior of heavy machinery, letting trainees experience construction machinery operation with a feel close to the real thing. As a step before hands-on training, trainees can learn basic operations and work procedures step by step.

2. Experiencing hazardous work in a safe environment

Situations that require caution on site, such as buried pipes, pedestrians, vehicles, narrow roads, slopes and disaster response, can be set up in the virtual space. This can be used for safety education, teaching trainees to anticipate hazards and judge the right timing before they enter a real site.

3. Scenario design tailored to site conditions

Using drone footage and point cloud data, METATORE can build 3D spaces that closely match site conditions. Fields and scenarios such as urban areas, mountainous terrain and riverbeds can be created to suit training objectives, providing a training environment closer to real practice.

4. Visualizing proficiency to improve training outcomes

Operation time, stability of machine behavior, timing of decisions, proficiency and more are recorded so that training results can be reviewed. This makes it easier for training staff to identify each trainee's issues, supporting instruction and skills assessment that do not rely on subjective judgment.

Use cases

METATORE is intended for use in situations such as:

• New-hire and pre-assignment training at construction companies
• Checking basic operations before training on real machines
• Safety education and hazard prediction training
• Classes at educational institutions and basic practice before hands-on training
• Disaster drills and community training by local governments and organizations
• Construction DX experiences at exhibitions and internal briefings

In particular, it provides a new educational environment powered by digital technology to address challenges such as developing young talent, standardizing on-site education, transferring skills and raising safety awareness.

Development background

The construction and civil engineering industry faces a range of growing challenges, including labor shortages, an aging population of skilled workers, the time it takes to train young people and the difficulty of providing safety education on site.

Drawing on the technology we have built up in 3DCG, XR, VR and simulation development, WAN has been developing "METATORE" to make education and training for construction sites safer and more practical.

In October 2025, we announced joint development toward a commercial version in partnership with three companies: Jitsuta Chugoku Co., Ltd., Tagami Juki Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. and Yamaguchi Co., Ltd. Since then, we have been improving features and moving toward commercialization while incorporating feedback from each development partner based on their on-site perspective.

We have now officially launched sales and will offer METATORE as a solution that supports talent development and safety education in the construction and civil engineering industry.

Exhibiting at CSPI-EXPO 2026

We will exhibit at "CSPI-EXPO 2026," one of the largest exhibitions for the construction and surveying industries, held at Makuhari Messe from June 17 (Wed) to June 20 (Sat), 2026.

At the venue, visitors can try the commercial version of METATORE. If you are interested in METATORE, whether you are a construction company, civil engineering contractor, educational institution, local government or prospective sales partner, please stop by our booth.

Exhibition overview

Event: CSPI-EXPO 2026 (8th International Construction and Survey Productivity Improvement Expo)
Dates: June 17, 2026 (Wed) – June 20, 2026 (Sat)
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (until 16:00 on the final day, June 20 only)
Venue: Makuhari Messe
Our booth number: Exhibition Hall 6, 16-71
Admission: Free
Visitor registration: https://cspi-expo.com/entry/

Related links

METATORE official website
https://metatore.wan-hiroshima.jp/

WAN co-develops construction machinery simulator "METATORE" with three partner companies, aiming for nationwide sales of the commercial version in 2026
https://wan-hiroshima.jp/news/2025/10/2270/

METATORE Development Report: A sneak peek at some features!
https://wan-hiroshima.jp/works/solution251119/

METATORE selected for the Hiroshima Venture Grant
https://wan-hiroshima.jp/works/251105award/

Construction machinery simulator "METATORE" to exhibit at the Jitsuta Chugoku DX Solution Fair 2026 in Hiroshima
https://wan-hiroshima.jp/news/2026/06/2621/

Contact for inquiries about this release

Company: World Area Networks Co., Ltd.
Address: The Garden Place Kamiyacho 5F, 2-2-13 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Inquiries: https://wan-hiroshima.jp/contact/

Taking talent development and safety education in the construction industry to the next stage with the power of digital technology.
As a next-generation training system that supports the on-site capabilities of the future, METATORE will continue to expand its features and support adoption.