WebLab-Deusto (http://weblab.deusto.es) developed by University of Deusto is a didactical tool of teaching at the university.

WebLab-Deusto offers seven types of different experiments:

Xilinx Programmable Logic Devices;

Microchip PIC Microcontrollers;

Programmable Mobile Robot;

Electronics & instrumentation;

Logic games and custom C++ application connected to an oscilloscope through GPIB;

Weblab-Submarine: a real aquarium is remotely maintained.

"Programmable mobile robot" course as an example is presented below:

The course aims to encourage student interest in STEM through the use of two technological resources: virtual 3D environments (Second Life) and mobile robot programming.

The WebLab Deusto used Second Life for merging SecBot experiment. The SecBot experiment is an auto-programmable microbot which is designed for this project. The SecBot microbot has its own programming instructions memory that allows completely changing its behavior in run-time. The SecBot has been built over the TERMINATOR SUMO ROBOT KIT by Lynxmotion managed by an embedded platform based in a PIC18F4520 microcontroller.

Developing the remote experiment in Second Life involves the following steps:

(1) develop a project with the instructions that the microbot shall follow; high level compilers (ej. MPLAB-C) or graphical programming interfaces (e.j. flowcode) should be applied;

(2) login to Second Life environment;

(3) upload the .hex program and run it over WebLab-Deusto. Screen will show microbot movement under the programmed orders (Fig.3).

 

 

 

NOTE: The OLAREX consortium provides 2 learning supportive modules “Working as a computer – Logic gates (Technology & Mathematics)” and “Farm Experiment: From an egg to a baby chick, step by step (Biology)” developed with WebLab-Deusto equipment.