The Challenge
Sky Kelpie approached Actuator Digital with a unique vision: to create a single-player training simulation game (which would later be known as SkySim) that not only simulates drone piloting skills but also teaches users the art of cattle mustering using drones. This project came with a host of challenges. Actuator Digital needed to recreate expansive real-world Australian farmland environments and model authentic cattle herd behavior within a virtual setting. At the same time, the game had to deliver polished visuals and a highly realistic drone flight experience to ensure the training was effective. Balancing engaging gameplay with serious practical outcomes was critical to meet the client’s ambitious training goals.
The Solution
Actuator Digital undertook the full-cycle development of Sky Kelpie’s simulation platform, adopting a comprehensive approach to bring this vision to life. We began with detailed planning and rapid prototyping to tackle two core technical hurdles in isolation. One prototype focused on herd dynamics – simulating how cattle react to a drone in their vicinity – while another validated flight physics, ensuring the drone’s movement and controls in-game mirrored those of a real DJI drone. With successful solutions for these challenges proven in prototypes, our team moved on to build the foundation for robust gameplay mechanics and a flexible mission system. We structured the experience into a series of training-focused levels, each designed to guide users from basic drone handling through to advanced mustering techniques in a scaffolded manner.
The development process placed strong emphasis on user experience and immersion. The user interface was designed to be dynamic and intuitive, featuring on-screen HUD elements, clear mission objectives, and easy-to-navigate menus. Whether using a mouse/keyboard setup or a handheld controller, controlling the virtual drone feels natural and responsive. To enhance realism, we created detailed 3D environments complete with barns, paddocks, gates, and fences—mirroring the look and feel of real cattle stations. We also paid special attention to the cattle themselves: from their varied appearances to their behavior, the virtual herd adds to the authenticity of the simulation. Every visual and interactive detail was crafted to pull the player into the scenario, ensuring that the training is not only informative but also highly engaging.
The Result
Sky Kelpie’s vision culminated in SkySim – an industry-leading drone simulation platform that enhances UAV piloting skills through immersive, hands-on training across multiple sectors (SkySim — SkyKelpie). Built on cutting-edge technology and real-world physics, SkySim provides a safe, risk-free virtual environment for users to develop practical drone mustering skills effectively. The final product met and exceeded the client’s expectations, evolving into a polished training game with standout features and benefits:
- Comprehensive Training Modules: Seven progressive training modules guide users from basic take-off controls to advanced mission execution, including both standard visual flight and beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations (SkySim — SkyKelpie). This structured approach ensures that learners build skills step-by-step, eventually mastering complex aerial mustering scenarios.
- Unmatched Realism: True-to-life drone flight physics (meticulously calibrated to mirror real UAV behavior) and responsive herd AI ensure a seamless transition from simulation to real-world operations (SkySim — SkyKelpie). Users experience how a drone handles in various conditions and how cattle respond to a drone, so the virtual practice directly translates into improved real-life technique.
- Fully Customisable Missions: SkySim stands out as the only drone simulator in the world that allows fully customisable mission scenarios tailored to any industry’s needs (SkySim — SkyKelpie). This means training content isn’t limited to pre-set missions – new scenarios can be created or adjusted on demand (a capability offered in SkySim’s enterprise edition), giving organizations the flexibility to simulate their unique operational challenges.
- 100% Australian-Developed: The entire SkySim platform was developed and is maintained locally in Australia, ensuring the highest standards of quality, security, and adaptability (SkySim — SkyKelpie). By keeping development in-house and onshore, the project benefited from close collaboration with Sky Kelpie’s domain experts and rapid iteration cycles, resulting in a robust solution perfectly attuned to the client’s requirements.
From initial trials on remote cattle stations to live demonstrations at agritech events, SkySim has proven its value in real-world training scenarios. Experienced drone operators and livestock handlers who tested the simulator have remarked on its authenticity and effectiveness in honing their skills. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from Sky Kelpie and its stakeholders underscores the success of this collaborative development effort.
Actuator Digital’s end-to-end involvement in the SkySim project ensured that every aspect of the game – from concept through to deployment – was handled with care and precision. This strong foundation has already paved the way for new enhancements, with features like AI-driven training scenarios, challenging weather conditions, and emergency response drills on the horizon (SkySim — SkyKelpie). Most importantly, the success of SkySim stands as a testament to Actuator Digital’s expertise in delivering high-quality simulation-based training solutions. It highlights our team’s capability as an ideal development partner for organizations looking to turn innovative ideas into powerful, practical software – on time, on budget, and beyond expectations.