Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation

Mixed reality (MR) laboratories combine physical elements with virtual components, providing convenient experiential environments for testing engineering concepts. This article reports the design, validation, and implementation of an MR laboratory for engineering students to practice the implementat...

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Main Authors: Alejandro Guajardo-Cuéllar, Ricardo Corona-Echauri, Ramón A. Meza-Flores, Carlos R. Vázquez, Alberto Rodríguez-Arreola, Manuel Navarro-Gutiérrez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Education Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/883
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author Alejandro Guajardo-Cuéllar
Ricardo Corona-Echauri
Ramón A. Meza-Flores
Carlos R. Vázquez
Alberto Rodríguez-Arreola
Manuel Navarro-Gutiérrez
author_facet Alejandro Guajardo-Cuéllar
Ricardo Corona-Echauri
Ramón A. Meza-Flores
Carlos R. Vázquez
Alberto Rodríguez-Arreola
Manuel Navarro-Gutiérrez
author_sort Alejandro Guajardo-Cuéllar
collection DOAJ
description Mixed reality (MR) laboratories combine physical elements with virtual components, providing convenient experiential environments for testing engineering concepts. This article reports the design, validation, and implementation of an MR laboratory for engineering students to practice the implementation of control algorithms in microcontrollers. First, the design of the MR lab is described in detail. In this, a seesaw electromechanical system is emulated, being synchronized with electrical signals that represent sensors’ measurements and actuators’ commands. Thus, a control algorithm implemented by the students in a microcontroller can affect the simulated system in real time. The real seesaw system was used to validate the simulated plant in the MR lab, finding that the same control algorithm effectively controls both the simulated and physical seesaw systems. A practice, designed based on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, where the students must implement P, PI, and PID controllers in the MR lab, was implemented. A survey was conducted to assess the students’ motivation, and a post-test was administered to evaluate their learning outcomes.
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issn 2227-7102
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-53f924bc97b648e38962d8e46030e10d2025-08-20T03:08:05ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-07-0115788310.3390/educsci15070883Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and ImplementationAlejandro Guajardo-Cuéllar0Ricardo Corona-Echauri1Ramón A. Meza-Flores2Carlos R. Vázquez3Alberto Rodríguez-Arreola4Manuel Navarro-Gutiérrez5Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Zapopan 45201, MexicoEmbedded Software, Bosch Mexico, Guadalajara 44690, MexicoHydraulic, John Deere, Monterrey 64986, MexicoEscuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Zapopan 45201, MexicoEscuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Zapopan 45201, MexicoEscuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Zapopan 45201, MexicoMixed reality (MR) laboratories combine physical elements with virtual components, providing convenient experiential environments for testing engineering concepts. This article reports the design, validation, and implementation of an MR laboratory for engineering students to practice the implementation of control algorithms in microcontrollers. First, the design of the MR lab is described in detail. In this, a seesaw electromechanical system is emulated, being synchronized with electrical signals that represent sensors’ measurements and actuators’ commands. Thus, a control algorithm implemented by the students in a microcontroller can affect the simulated system in real time. The real seesaw system was used to validate the simulated plant in the MR lab, finding that the same control algorithm effectively controls both the simulated and physical seesaw systems. A practice, designed based on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, where the students must implement P, PI, and PID controllers in the MR lab, was implemented. A survey was conducted to assess the students’ motivation, and a post-test was administered to evaluate their learning outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/883mixed reality labseducational innovationhigher educationexperiential learning
spellingShingle Alejandro Guajardo-Cuéllar
Ricardo Corona-Echauri
Ramón A. Meza-Flores
Carlos R. Vázquez
Alberto Rodríguez-Arreola
Manuel Navarro-Gutiérrez
Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation
Education Sciences
mixed reality labs
educational innovation
higher education
experiential learning
title Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation
title_full Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation
title_fullStr Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation
title_full_unstemmed Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation
title_short Mixed Reality Laboratory for Teaching Control Concepts: Design, Validation, and Implementation
title_sort mixed reality laboratory for teaching control concepts design validation and implementation
topic mixed reality labs
educational innovation
higher education
experiential learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/883
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