Digital Twinning and Remote Engineering for Immersive Embedded Systems Education

In this Research-to-Practice paper, we detail the development and implementation of a 3D Digital Twinning simulator augmented with Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities, specifically designed for an embedded systems curriculum. With the rise in technology-enhanced learning tools, there has been a marked shift towards creating robust platforms that allow students to interact more deeply with their coursework. Digital Twinning and 3D virtual simulations have emerged as significant contributors to this shift. The challenge in most design-oriented courses lies in the integration of multiple tools and hardware components. Students often find themselves investing significant time in the setup and configuration of these components, time that could otherwise be devoted to the core learning objectives. Our 3D simulator was developed to alleviate this burden. It intends to offer a clear, intuitive visualization of tasks, allowing students to focus on designing and testing their implementations. This simulator does not just represent a theoretical concept but provides a realistic, interactive environment replicating real-world scenarios. One of the central case studies highlighted in this paper is the transition from a traditional FPGA-based digital design assignment-a car parking lot scenario with switches and breadboards-to an equivalent, but more immersive, 3D virtual simulation. This redesigned model boasts seamless interfacing capabilities with a remote FPGA lab, further bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. To gauge the effectiveness and utility of our simulator, we conducted an anonymous survey among the participating students. The survey aimed to capture feedback on the usability, intuitiveness, and overall educational value of the Digital Twinning simulation. Preliminary findings from our study suggest a positive trend: Digital Twinning, combined with the immersive properties of VR, has the potential to significantly improve engagement, comprehension, and performance. This research underlines the evolving dynamics of education, where traditional methods are gradually being complemented, if not replaced, by technology-enhanced approaches. The results presented in this paper strongly suggest the potential benefits and adaptability of Digital Twinning in the contemporary educational landscape.