Web-based virtual engineering laboratory (VE-LAB) for collaborative experimentation on a hybrid electric vehicle starter/alternator

With the increasing complexity and cross-disciplinary nature of technical research, there is a growing need for interactive, collaborative experimentation unlimited by physical location. This paper describes the development and implementation of a novel, virtual engineering laboratory (VE-LAB) that uses the World Wide Web for real-time interactive control of a motor experimentation platform. Using a standard Web browser, VE-LAB allows a hybrid electric vehicle starter/alternator to be remotely and interactively operated in real time by research scientists across the globe. VE-LAB technology has applications to distance learning, distributed remote diagnostics, monitoring and control systems. Experimental results feature remote Web-based starter/alternator efficiency mapping from across the country.