Unlocking the Development and Experiences of Control Education Labs (CE2Labs).

Engineering education relies on a balanced integration of theoretical instruction and hands-on laboratory experience. In control engineering, practical experimentation is particularly essential, as it connects abstract theoretical concepts with real industrial applications. However, many universities face significant limitations in providing adequate laboratory equipment due to high costs, maintenance demands, and limited institutional investment. Typically, control laboratories serve large student groups with only a few experimental setups available. As a result, practical activities are often reduced, limiting students’ direct interaction with real systems. Although virtual simulators and remote laboratories have advanced considerably in recent years, they cannot fully replace the experience of working with physical systems. This shortage is a global issue and is especially critical in underdeveloped regions where resources are scarce.

This project addresses this challenge by establishing a sustainable framework for developing accessible, low-cost control laboratory models. The goal is to design and build reusable physical systems of varying complexity under an open-source philosophy, making them freely available to educators worldwide. These models will support both university-level and high-school education. The project includes the development of six different experimental setups, with two units of each built at participating universities. Proposed models include basic mechanical systems manufactured with 3D-printed components (such as centrifugal governors or ball-and-beam systems), more advanced 3D-printed devices (e.g., escape-room-inspired systems or Peltier-based setups), Arduino-based solutions for temperature and position control, and small-scale electronic systems such as a two-tank process. The international project team, composed of educators and laboratory technicians from universities in France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden, ensures a broad pedagogical perspective and strong technical feasibility. The project is important for students, who will gain hands-on experience with realistic systems; for educators, who will be able to design meaningful practical activities beyond simulations; and for the control community, as it enhances the visibility and societal relevance of automatic control. The target audience includes universities, control educators, and high schools seeking portable, affordable, and impactful laboratory solutions.