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Showing papers presented at "Experiment@International Conference in 2013"


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This paper describes the design and development of a novel Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on industrial electronics circuits that is the first MOOC that includes the extensive use of a real remote laboratory dedicated to practices in electronic circuits.
Abstract: This paper describes the design and development of a novel Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on industrial electronics circuits. It is the first MOOC that, besides the usual features of these courses, includes the extensive use of a real remote laboratory dedicated to practices in electronic circuits. Although the nature of a MOOC is completely open, this course targets especially people with at least basic circuits knowledge, related with the demand on industrial sector of labour markets. As said, the core objective of the course is to learn practical competences in basic electronic circuits. This is possible by implementing the remote laboratory for electronic circuits' practices VISIR (Virtual Instrument Systems in Reality) within the MOOC to allow online, real time, delivery of such practices-which makes this MOOC a first of its kind. The paper presents the design and development of the MOOC. We show also some preliminary results in the middle of the course that is running, with more than 2200 students enrolled, during 5 months since May.

27 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This demonstration shows an Augmented Reality tool to support teaching chemistry, an direct manipulation user interface using the augmented reality technique that enables the users to better understand the spacial structure of the shown geometries.
Abstract: This demonstration shows an Augmented Reality tool to support teaching chemistry. The understanding of spacial relations in and between molecules is an essential part that has to be understood by students to learn chemistry As nowadays the techniques to show and simulate molecular behaviors get faster and better, 3D applications to show the molecules become more and more popular also in schools. Augmented Chemical Reactions is an application that shows the 3D spatial structure of molecules as well as the dynamics of the atoms in and between molecules. This application does not use the commonly used 3D user interface of mice and keyboards to move and rotate the virtual objects but it makes use of an intuitive 3D user interface. This 3D User interface is an direct manipulation user interface using the augmented reality technique. With this user interface it enables the users to better understand the spacial structure of the shown geometries.

25 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This paper presents the development of virtual labs for teaching Industrial Robotics programming where theoretical contents are blended with the use of an industrial simulation software package - RobotStudio.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of virtual labs for teaching Industrial Robotics programming where theoretical contents are blended with the use of an industrial simulation software package - RobotStudio. The use of this software provides multiple functionalities not only at the theoretical concepts level but also at the implementation level. Sample virtual labs created for the development of student's assignments are described that emphasize the pedagogical value of the learning process. Two examples of lab assignments are presented and discussed. The use of industrial software to create realistic robotic cells proved to be a valuable tool for teaching purposes.

14 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: An Engineering Pedagogy programme and holistic technical solution based on remote labs based on inductive teaching and problem solving tasks for supporting the engineering studies are presented.
Abstract: Inductive principles in Engineering Pedagogy have been presented in the present paper on the example of remote labs. Inductive teaching is one way to help students learn to use the fundamental concepts for problem solving - focusing on cases that students could work on to help develop an understanding of the phenomenon. For effective inductive teaching and problem solving tasks a supportive technical concept is needed. Here remotely controlled and virtual labs, which have got into focus during last years, can help a lot and offer flexibility and freedom for students. In this paper we are presenting an Engineering Pedagogy programme and holistic technical solution based on remote labs for supporting the engineering studies.

10 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The interactive visual simulation integrates real-time 3D computer graphics with other modalities, such as stereoscopic head-mounted display (HMD), user pose tracking, joystick remote controller, and physics behaviour, to create a realistic simulation scenario to the user.
Abstract: In this study we present an immersive virtual reality simulator for the training of tower cranes operators reducing the costs and risks. The interactive visual simulation integrates real-time 3D computer graphics with other modalities, such as stereoscopic head-mounted display (HMD), user pose tracking, joystick remote controller, and physics behaviour, to create a realistic simulation scenario to the user.

10 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The platform will assist in exploring the antecedents of consumer purchase intention and in defining metrics for measuring shopping experiences with AR, and attempts to define a ground base for posterior marketing research in the field.
Abstract: Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology which produces a synthesis between a computer-generated data and the physical world of a viewer while establishing 3D registration and real time interaction. Among the wide range of application of AR, its use in advertising shopping experiences has recently been embraced by advertisers due to its novelty and engaging potential. Part of a wider research aiming at understanding the impact of AR on consumer psychology, this paper presents a demo platform application developed for a real-time shopping experience for shoes and attempts to define a ground base for posterior marketing research in the field. In order to fully evaluate consumer experiences and compare with the main AR platform two other shopping applications were designed: a marker-based and a static one. The platform will assist in exploring the antecedents of consumer purchase intention and in defining metrics for measuring shopping experiences with AR.

8 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The use of interactive video for on-line blended learning in engineering education is discussed, which represents an important technique for matching the teaching style to learning styles.
Abstract: The education of engineers involves the integrated delivery of theoretical (sometimes abstract) concepts supported by the use of hands-on practical laboratory work. Engineering programmes strive to deliver fundamental concepts, technological know-how and innovation skills to students, who have different approaches to learning. The use of computer aids represents an important technique for matching the teaching style to learning styles. Computers and computer based aids present information using different media types such as text, graphics, video and simulations. On-line or computer based video has the ability to simultaneously carry and convey information in multiple formats such as speech (audio) alongside movement in two dimensions. This paper discusses the use of interactive video for on-line blended learning in engineering education.

6 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The main objective of this work is to create a mobile-based prototype to analyze skin lesions based on supervised classification, which collects, processes and storages information of skin lesions through the automatic extraction and classification of specific visual features.
Abstract: Mobile Teledermatology appears nowadays as a promising tool with the potential to empower patients to adopt an active role in managing their own health status, while facilitates the early diagnosis of skin cancers. The main objective of this work is to create a mobile-based prototype to analyze skin lesions based on supervised classification. The presented self-monitoring system collects, processes and storages information of skin lesions through the automatic extraction and classification of specific visual features. The selected features are based on the ABCD rule, which considers 4 visual criteria considered highly relevant for the detection of malignant melanoma. The algorithms used to extract and classify these features are briefly described, as well as the overall system requirements and architecture.

6 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: It will be shown that LabVIEW application serving as laboratory server can easily be deployed on the standard pluginless Web-page without any modifications in LabVIEW code with WebPager, and programming knowledge of any other language is not required.
Abstract: Most of currently existing laboratory servers of remote labs were built fully or partially with LabVIEW programming language from National Instruments. While proving to be the best tool for fast development of excellent SCADA and data acquisition applications, it appeared to be inadequate when it comes to deploying an application to the web. This paper and accompanying demonstration will show the tools that were used for accomplishing this task in the remote laboratories presented in other papers. The focus of this demonstration will be on WebPager tool from Labicom.net online laboratories platform. It will be shown that LabVIEW application serving as laboratory server can easily be deployed on the standard pluginless Web-page without any modifications in LabVIEW code with WebPager. Programming knowledge of any other language is not required. Automatically generated HTML5 pages of a modern look and real-time user interaction will be displayed. A few different LabVIEW front panels will be converted into web-pages in the course of demonstration.

6 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This demo presents a system for home assisted rehabilitation using the Kinect sensor, from Microsoft, which seems to be a good approach to minimize the problem of expensive health programs for cardiac rehabilitation.
Abstract: Elders are becoming a significant part of the population, in particular in Europe and Japan, where the decrease of the birthrate is becoming a serious social and political issue [1]. Additionally, people prone to a high risk of cardiac diseases are also increasing, mainly to due to the stress, unhealthy food, smoking habits and low exercise live style. On the other hand, current health programs for cardiac rehabilitation are expensive [2] and force the patients to miss working time to go to rehabilitation centers for assisted training. Therefore, the development of an home-based rehabilitation program based on games technology seems to be a good approach to minimize this problem. This demo presents a system for home assisted rehabilitation using the Kinect sensor, from Microsoft.

6 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This demo presents an on-going work on the development of a novel haptic device designed to be used by elders to stimuli and quantify the nervous system responsiveness through a serious game.
Abstract: Human senses are one of main functions of the human body, as they provide feedback from the environment that help on performing everyday activities. However, with age the sensing ability tends to decrease, as well as, the capacity to process in real-time the perceived information. This demo presents an on-going work on the development of a novel haptic device designed to be used by elders to stimuli and quantify the nervous system responsiveness through a serious game. The game uses a temperature controlled element, where elders place one hand, and a basic task used to perceived information. As a function of the felt temperature, the elder has to make a decision, by classifying an objet according with his own temperature perception, as hot, or cold. Thus this game provides a simple way elders' can use to generate a temperature stimulus to their brains and training as well, the motion control to place the object in the right place.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This work describes the demonstration of a virtual system performance for conveying the concept and for familiarizing with straightness evaluation, resulting in augmented reality applications that enable the user to explore the details of each experiment for training or educational purposes.
Abstract: This work describes the demonstration of a virtual system performance for conveying the concept and for familiarizing with straightness evaluation The demo will be also complemented with other small case studies under development, resulting in augmented reality applications that enable the user to explore the details of each experiment for training or educational purposes

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: Measurement and data acquisition devices as well as specialized mechatronic devices for real-time control of laser parameters are listed.
Abstract: Modern communication technologies and web-based applications allow creating hardware/software complexes for scientific and educational remote experimentation. In this paper one of such complexes for experiments with a solid-state pulse laser is presented. Measurement and data acquisition devices as well as specialized mechatronic devices for real-time control of laser parameters are listed. Laboratory server is connected to Labicom.net platform. It allows operating laser setup remotely via thin client application in the browser.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This demonstration aims at presenting the e-lab interface and its main features as well as exploring the new World Wide distributed Pendulum experiment.
Abstract: e-lab is a remote laboratory infrastructure that provides access to several distinct experiments that may be performed independently. A new experiment to be introduced in this remote laboratory is our first geographically distributed experiment: the World Pendulum. It consists in multiple identical pendulum apparatuses connected to e-lab and scattered throughout different locations across several countries. The World Pendulum is intended at exploring a unique feature allowed by remote experimentation - experimental repetition in different locations. This demonstration aims at presenting the e-lab interface and its main features as well as exploring the new World Wide distributed Pendulum experiment.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This work is focused on the use of a microcontroller solution for an easy, costless and reliable system for online experiments addressed to demonstrate small experimental tutorial systems in engineering education and in lifelong learning.
Abstract: This work is focused on the use of a microcontroller solution for an easy, costless and reliable system for online experiments addressed to demonstrate small experimental tutorial systems in engineering education and in lifelong learning. The specific application described in this work will be demonstrated in the Exhibition Session of exp.at'13 and is dedicated to the digital encoder topic.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The e-lab team is interested in performing remote chemistry experiments, which are more difficult to execute in this kind of environment, and the challenge is to create an experiment focused in a chemical equilibrium reaction.
Abstract: In the last three years, e-lab a real laboratory remotely controlled via the internet, has been an important educational resource in basic and secondary Portuguese schools in subjects like Physics and Chemistry. Since a pilot study performed in late 2009 that e-lab platform is being used in and outside the classroom contributing to increase students' motivation and interest toward scientific subjects. Currently, the e-lab team is interested in performing remote chemistry experiments, which are more difficult to execute in this kind of environment. At this time, the challenge is to create an experiment focused in a chemical equilibrium reaction.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The Web Geometry Laboratory is a collaborative blended-learning Web-environment integrating a dynamic geometry system and where each user has a personalised scrapbook of geometric constructions.
Abstract: The Web Geometry Laboratory is a collaborative blended-learning Web-environment integrating a dynamic geometry system and where each user has a personalised scrapbook of geometric constructions. All the base features needed to implement an adaptive module and to allow the integration of a geometry automated theorem prover are also already implemented. The actual testing of the Web Geometry Laboratory by high-school teachers is underway and a first field-test with high-school students is due to the spring term of 2013.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The use of a remote experiment used for students learning about material elastic properties (Hook's Law) using a helical spring coupled to a didactic press, a Raspberry Pi controller, a local server and a Website for accessing educational content and controlling the experiment.
Abstract: One of the difficulties present in the engineering teaching is the lack of practice and interaction with the phenomena in study. The use of remote experiment can aid in this learning process reducing difficulties and shortcomings related to the lack experimentation and interaction with phenomenon that occur in traditional classes. This paper reports on the use of a remote experiment used for students learning about material elastic properties (Hook's Law). The experiment in this paper is composed of: a helical spring coupled to a didactic press, a Raspberry Pi controller, a local server and a Website for accessing educational content and controlling the experiment. The learning environment also allows access through mobile devices. During the experiment, charts and parameter tables are displayed on the screen. These data are sourceof informationfor students calculating and analyzing the phenomenon observed, relating theory to practice.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: A Java application that can be used by the instructor / user in a blended learning environment to teach / learn the basic notions of dynamical systems behavior and also the effect of PID feedback controllers in the closed-loop system.
Abstract: In this paper, a java-based simulator of Dynamical Systems and PID control is presented. This simulator implements linear low-order process models (first order, second order and third order), open-loop architecture and closed-loop architecture with a linear PID feedback controller. At the past, a hardware simulator (HW123b) for the three process models was developed in our group, and now the equivalent software version is presented. Modeling and dynamical simulation are now basic tools for understanding and verifying theoretical subjects. The main contribution is a Java application that can be used by the instructor / user in a blended learning environment to teach / learn the basic notions of dynamical systems behavior and also the effect of PID feedback controllers in the closed-loop system.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: A simulation teaching experiment to control a gantry crane system is proposed, using a Posicast feedforward technique to enhance the setpoint tracking response and a PID controller is used in the feedback loop to deal with disturbance rejection.
Abstract: A simulation teaching experiment to control a gantry crane system is proposed. The control is performed both in open-loop and closed-loop. The open-loop control is based on the Posicast feedforward technique and the closed-loop control uses a two-degrees of freedom configuration. Posicast control is used as a pre-filter outside the feedback loop to enhance the setpoint tracking response and a PID controller is used in the feedback loop to deal with disturbance rejection. Students are required to use a gantry crane animation, to visualize its movement promoting a better perception and control techniques understanding. The experiment was performed by undergraduate feedback control students which provided learning results through a survey questionnaire.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This paper introduces a novel concept which allows administrators to easily achieve the local configuration of the embedded (on-chip) laboratory parameters (including network settings) by using a mobile device.
Abstract: Embedded online laboratories are becoming frequent nowadays, because they can include both the functionality of a data acquisition device and the functionality of a webserver and this, in turn, results in lower implementation costs. However, while it is easy to configure a laboratory server which is located on a computer, the local configuration and control of an embedded laboratory is more challenging, because of the lack of interactive peripherals (such as the keyboard is to a computer). This paper introduces a novel concept which allows administrators to easily achieve the local configuration of the embedded (on-chip) laboratory parameters (including network settings) by using a mobile device.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: A 3D multi-user training simulator developed in the 3D OpenSimulator virtual world platform is presented, enabling technician training to be enhanced with cooperation and context prior to the training phase with actual physical engines.
Abstract: This demonstration proposal aims to present a 3D multi-user training simulator, developed in the 3D OpenSimulator virtual world platform, in order to enable the practice and training of mechanical maintenance for F-16 engines., specifically the installation of a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine in a F-16 aircraft - a process that requires three skilled engine technicians to do a set of cooperative execution tasks. The main purpose of the simulator is to provide trainees and trainers with more opportunities to conduct training, enabling technician training to be enhanced with cooperation and context prior to the training phase with actual physical engines. In this proposal, we describe the architecture of the system and the sample simulation tasks.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: A low cost, single-axis force-feedback haptic device of 1 degree of freedom (1 DOF) based in obsolete material has been under development and will be demonstrated in the Exhibition Session of exp.at'13.
Abstract: A low cost, single-axis force-feedback haptic device of 1 degree of freedom (1 DOF) based in obsolete material has been under development. The system can work in interaction with virtual reality applications or in stand-alone mode, emulating physical systems, e.g. springs of distinct types of stiffness. The prototype, working in both modes will be demonstrated in the Exhibition Session of exp.at'13.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: Preliminary results show that a good agreement with the established spherical harmonics model is obtained, with the absolute overall error being under 0.0002 m/s2.
Abstract: World Pendulum is a project with the main purpose of studying the behavior of standard gravity with latitude Several automated simple pendulums are distributed across different latitudes Each of these pendulums can be remotely operated over the Internet, communicating in real time the measured period of the oscillations, which may then be used to calculate the value of g This article describes the World Pendulum project and it's implementation integrated into e-lab, a software framework that allows remote control of real experiments over the Internet[1] Preliminary results show that a good agreement with the established spherical harmonics model is obtained, with the absolute overall error being under 00002 m/s2

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This simulator implements linear low-order process models (first order, second order and third order) that can be used by the instructor / user in a blended learning environment to teach / learn the basic notions of dynamical systems.
Abstract: In this paper, an interactive demonstration of a java-based simulator of dynamical systems is presented. This simulator implements linear low-order process models (first order, second order and third order). Open-loop control and closed-loop tests can be done with the application. The main contribution is a Java application that can be used by the instructor / user in a blended learning environment to teach / learn the basic notions of dynamical systems, in open-loop control and also in closed-loop control, running on all the most popular operating systems.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: This work presents a strategy for the prediction of biosignals' future trend, based on a Haar wavelet transform, which considers the wavelet decomposition of the signals to determine the most representative trend at each of the several decomposition levels.
Abstract: This work presents a strategy for the prediction of biosignals' future trend, based on a Haar wavelet transform. The proposed scheme is based on the hypothesis that the future evolution of a given biosignal (template) can be estimated from similar patterns existent in a historic dataset. Thus, the first step consists of a simple and efficient measure to evaluate the similarity between biosignal time series. Then, supported on the similar patterns identified using the similarity process, a predictive scheme is introduced. The proposed approach, which does not use an explicit model, considers the wavelet decomposition of the signals (template and similar patterns) to determine the most representative trend at each of the several decomposition levels. These trends are then aggregated to derive the required biosignal future estimation. A Matlab tool was developed to support the proposed strategy, consisting of two main components: the similarity and the prediction modules. These were applied in the validation task using vital signals (heart rate, blood pressure and weight) daily collected during two tele-monitoring studies: TEN-HMS and MyHeart.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: A low cost system that can add the ability of regenerative breaking to small electric vehicles and a new method of control that makes driving more pleasant and reduces consumption by avoiding sudden accelerations is proposed.
Abstract: This paper proposes a low cost system that can add the ability of regenerative breaking to small electric vehicles. The system uses ultracapacitors to store the energy harvested during braking, and its capacity is kept as low as possible in order to reduce the overall cost of the system. It is also proposed a power electronic topology that can transfer energy from the ultracapacitors to the motor or to the main battery, from the battery to engine and from the engine to the main battery. It is further proposed a new method of control that makes driving more pleasant and reduces consumption by avoiding sudden accelerations.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The combination of Boole- deusto (software tool for digital electronics design) and WebLab-Deusto-FPGA (remote lab) allows teachers and students to complete the full design cycle in a computer in only a few minutes.
Abstract: The combination of Boole-Deusto (software tool for digital electronics design) and WebLab-Deusto-FPGA (remote lab) allows teachers and students to complete the full design cycle in a computer in only a few minutes: from the truth table or FSM to the real implementation in a FPGA. The system described is oriented towards a first year course in digital electronics to help students and teachers when they are learning and teaching digital electronics.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: A remote laboratory at BMSTU that is created for higher education and lifelong training is described, and a solution for the practical aspect of the GLONASS/GPS studies is presented.
Abstract: Recently emerged global navigation systems are now fully integrated into many engineering areas. As a result, engineering education requires systematic approach to provide high-quality training in the field of satellite positioning systems. This paper presents a solution for the practical aspect of the GLONASS/GPS studies. It describes a remote laboratory at BMSTU that is created for higher education and lifelong training. Experimental setup and its hardware are described. Laboratory server software and current client solution are briefly analyzed. Required changes to integrate the current setup into Labicom platform are listed and discussed.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Sep 2013
TL;DR: The aim of this work is to design, develop and test a virtual reality simulator that allows experiencing / feeling various forces of physics such as the friction force, the aerodynamic force and the gravitational force.
Abstract: Students worldwide find very difficult to learn sciences. Therefore there is a need to find innovative ways to motivate students and help them learn. One possible way is the inclusion of technology in the classroom because it is a familiar environment for these students, the digital natives. This article addresses the specific use of simulators as a means to improve the learning of Physics. The aim of this work is to design, develop and test a virtual reality simulator that allows experiencing / feeling various forces of physics such as the friction force, the aerodynamic force and the gravitational force. To give more realism to the man-machine interaction the simulator uses a haptic interface.