An example of our work:

CaveSim Trailer3

When it comes to our mobile cave projects, Trailer3 is our most advanced and impressive exhibit experience. Featuring 150 feet of passage and a wheelchair-accessible area, the exhibit fits neatly inside a 31 foot trailer.

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About the project

We began work on Trailer3 in July of 2023, right after delivering Trailer2 to Great Basin National Park. About 12 months later, we debuted Trailer3 at the National Speleological Society convention in Sewanee, TN. Both kids and adults immediately loved the new exhibit. In the first year after its debut, visitors took over 30,000 trips through the cave, and it traveled to 77 days of events in 10 states.

Three generations of a family gather after exploring CaveSim Trailer3 in Iraan, TX
  • Technology makes CaveSim Engaging
    Like every cave we create, this one is filled with a network of tiny computers that teach visitors about conservation. If a visitor bumps a stalactite, gets too close to a cave painting, or touches a bat or packrat, they receive feedback from the system to help them learn to be more careful. Because some visitors have visual or auditory impairments, we use both visible and auditory feedback, including red lights, buzzers, and educational audio recordings. After visitors exit the cave, they review their score on computer screens.
A family and a CaveSim staffer gather at the scoring system to watch the cameras and review a child's careful-caver score.
  • New helmet tracking improves scoring
    CaveSim Trailer3 includes helmets that track each visitor's progress through the mobile cave. This allows the system to determine which visitor touched which cave formation, and each visitor receives their own score after exiting the cave. A digital map of the cave allows family members outside the cave to track each explorer as they navigate the cave passage. This system was designed and built entirely by the CaveSim inventor, and makes the cave very easy to operate. The helmet trackers automatically turn the caving headlamps on (and off) when visitors enter (and exit) the CaveSim system.
A CaveSim staffer helps a participant put on their helmet. Note the tracking device on the back of the helmet, which also contains the headlamp battery, charger, and other sensors.

A professional display

Worthy of the museums, show caves, zoos, and other organizations that we work with, our mobile cave is a highly professional display, both inside and out. An easy-to-use display drawer holds interpretive materials as well as helmets for visitors. The helmet batteries charge right in the storage cubbies, and colorful, eye-catching signage and photos teach participants about cave conservation. Greenery around the exhibit is so realistic that even well-educated adults have mistaken it for real plants.

As shown below, a new vertical caving tower mounted to the roof of the trailer provides an easy-to-use educational program about physics, vertical cave exploration, rope safety, and rescue. A wheelchair ramp and accessible door (on the right side of the picture below) allow participants of all ability levels to experience CaveSim.

The specs:

  • 150' of realistic cave passage with three levels
  • Three climbing ropes, dozens of climbing holds
  • A wheelchair accessible area called "The Big Room"
  • Over 50 artificial cave formations, critters, and artifacts, all with electronic sensors to give visitors a careful-caving score as they explore
  • Padded flooring with durable top layer and a rock-like appearance
  • Eight night-vision cameras for visitors to watch friends
  • 31' trailer length
  • ~10000 lbs total weight
A map of the Trailer3 mobile cave

A photo tour of CaveSim Trailer3

The entrance includes sensors that turn on visitors' headlamps, and mark the visitors as "In cave" in the software.
The entrance includes sensors that turn on visitors' headlamps, and mark the visitors as "In cave" in the software.
The cave includes highly realistic phreatic passage.
The cave includes highly realistic phreatic passage.
Soft flooring is included for visitor comfort.
Soft flooring is included for visitor comfort.
A handline is provided to assist visitors.
A handline is provided to assist visitors.
Cave paintings include proximity sensing and recorded audio to educate visitors about conservation.
Cave paintings include proximity sensing and recorded audio to educate visitors about conservation.
The cave includes larger areas for visitors to stand. Some of these areas are also wheelchair accessible.
The cave includes larger areas for visitors to stand. Some of these areas are also wheelchair accessible.
Cave bacon, stalactites, boxwork, and cave paintings all include electronic sensors.
Cave bacon, stalactites, boxwork, and cave paintings all include electronic sensors.
A cave register contains a book in which visitors can write their names.
A cave register contains a book in which visitors can write their names.
Replica ancient pottery includes proximity sensing and recorded audio to educate visitors about conservation of artifacts.
Replica ancient pottery includes proximity sensing and recorded audio to educate visitors about conservation of artifacts.
An optional climbing area includes sensors and recorded audio that warn visitors to be careful around loose rocks in real caves.
An optional climbing area includes sensors and recorded audio that warn visitors to be careful around loose rocks in real caves.
An etrier (webbing ladder) allows visitors to climb up to level 2.
An etrier (webbing ladder) allows visitors to climb up to level 2.
Rock climbing holds are made of recycled bottles and allow visitors to explore three levels. Soft flooring protects visitors while climbing.
Rock climbing holds are made of recycled bottles and allow visitors to explore three levels. Soft flooring protects visitors while climbing.
Formations swing out of the way when visitors hit them, and then formations return to their normal position with spring mechanisms.
Formations swing out of the way when visitors hit them, and then formations return to their normal position with spring mechanisms.
Cameras are hidden in realistic objects like in-cave temperature and humidity monitoring equipment (the white box).
Cameras are hidden in realistic objects like in-cave temperature and humidity monitoring equipment (the white box).
In-cave lighting can be turned on to assist visitors who are unsure.
In-cave lighting can be turned on to assist visitors who are unsure.
The exit includes sensors to automatically turn off visitors' headlamps, and to mark their trip as "Complete" in the software.
The exit includes sensors to automatically turn off visitors' headlamps, and to mark their trip as "Complete" in the software.
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Create joy. Change the world.

CaveSim turns learning into fun. If your organization wants to make the world a better place by teaching kids about science, exploration, and conservation, a CaveSim system might be the perfect addition to your programs.

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