José Alexandre Gonçalves

Abstract
In the context of mobile robotics education, realistic and accessible datasets are fundamental for supporting the development and testing of algorithms. However, collecting real-world data is a limited and challenging task because it is time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, this paper presents the generation of a synthetic dataset through realistic simulation using the SimTwo environment-a physics-based simulator, and modeling techniques of sensors and actuators. The physical and simulated mobile robot was developed to perform tasks such as following a line, following a wall, and avoiding obstacles. The proposed approach facilitates the creation of customized datasets for training and evaluation algorithms while supporting remote and inclusive learning. Results show that a simulated dataset can effectively replicate real-world behaviors, making them a valuable resource for educational contexts, research, and development. Some emergent machine learning algorithms can be applied to this dataset, being this approach increasingly used to enhance robot localization, by leveraging ML, robots can improve the accuracy, robustness, and adaptability of their localization systems, especially in complex and dynamic environments.

Abstract
The integration of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities into STEAM education presents ongoing challenges, particularly in engineering disciplines where both technical and social competencies are essential. Robotics and active learning methodologies have emerged as promising solutions to address these challenges by offering adaptive, interactive, and student-centered learning environments. This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine how these technologies and methodologies are applied to support students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. A total of 34 high-quality studies published over the past ten years were selected through a rigorous process of database searching, inclusion/exclusion filtering, and quality assessment. The analysis reveals that robotics is particularly effective in fostering academic development, cognitive skills, social-behavioral interaction, and emotional regulation, while active learning promotes social responding, role understanding, and collaborative skills. Together, these approaches not only enhance individual learning outcomes but also facilitate the broader inclusion of students with disabilities within engineering education.

Abstract
This paper presents the development of an automated water sampling system designed to enhance quality control in water treatment facilities. The system is built around a mechanical structure that houses a watertight box containing all electronic components. A display inside the box allows users to program sampling schedules, including parameters such as the day, time, number of samples, sample volume, and intervals between samples. A balance integrated into the structure holds a bottle that collects the water samples, while a reservoir at the bottom accumulates water to ensure an adequate supply. A water pump connected to the structure enables controlled sample collection. The design ensures that all components are compactly integrated, while a non-invasive method is used to measure the volume of the sampled water, thereby avoiding direct contact between the sensors and the sample. A Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, coupled with direct industry collaboration, has reinforced the effectiveness of active learning methodologies in engineering education.

Abstract

Abstract
Integrating physical robots in an educational context often entails acquiring expensive equipment that often operates using proprietary software. Both conditions restrict the students from exploring and fully understanding the internal operation of robots. In response to these limitations, a three-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulator, based on the “EEZYbotARM MK2” open-source design by Carlo Franciscone, is being repurposed and integrated within the SimTwo simulation environment to operate within a hardware-in-the-loop architecture. To accomplish this objective, first, an open-source Arduino-based library was developed aiming at the robot’s online and offline programming akin to industrial robots. The firmware is able to communicate with the SimTwo software in which the digital twin’s robot is living. The dynamic behavior of the robot’s digital twin must be properly parametrized and aligned with the physical robot’s dynamics. This article describes the modeling of the robot joint’s actuator and its closed-loop controller formulation. The obtained results show that the dynamic behavior of the robot joint digital twin closely matches both open and closed-loop, the one of its physical counterpart.