A multi-robot spatial augmented reality sandbox with virtual sensors for computational thinking education
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2026-04-23
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Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
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Featured Application: The proposed Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) multi-robot arena constitutes a cost-effective hybrid platform for both educational use and applied research in distributed robotics. In educational contexts, the platform can support progressive learning pathways in computational thinking, concurrent programming, and multi-agent coordination. From an applied perspective, the environment can function as a rapid prototyping and validation testbed for distributed algorithms, hybrid physical–virtual control approaches, and human–robot interaction techniques. Potential application domains include preliminary evaluation of coordination mechanisms in logistics robotics, cooperative inspection scenarios, smart manufacturing processes, and environmental monitoring systems. In this paper, we introduce an immersive Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) arena where multiple mobile robots interact with virtual sensors and actuators, enabling novice students to explore distributed and parallel algorithms. The arena uses overhead projection to display virtual objects (e.g., walls, targets, and sensor fields) onto a physical workspace, while robots (Smart Cutebot controlled by Micro:bit) operate under both physical and projected inputs. This framework is implemented via specialized software extensions for Microsoft MakeCode, offering varying levels of abstraction suitable for both novice learners and advanced researchers. The system’s effectiveness is validated through technical characterization of its positioning sensors (achieving an accuracy of over 99% and a precision margin of ±0.1 cm) and qualitative user studies with primary and university-level students. The findings suggest that the virtualization of robotic components through SAR significantly lowers the entry barrier for understanding distributed programming and collective robotics while fostering the development of computational thinking through immersive, collaborative interaction.
Palabras clave
Computational thinking
Distributed programming
Educational robotics
Spatial augmented reality (SAR)
Virtual sensors/actuators
Distributed programming
Educational robotics
Spatial augmented reality (SAR)
Virtual sensors/actuators
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Lárez Mata, J., Garaizar, P., & Eguíluz, A. (2026). A multi-robot spatial augmented reality sandbox with virtual sensors for computational thinking education. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 16(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/APP16094145