B2414 - Extended Reality for Digital Twin of Mechatronic Systems

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability (cod. 6720)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the integrated course, the student understands and applies the main techniques for modeling, simulating, and visualizing complex mechatronic systems through Digital Twins. The student is able to develop and represent 3D Digital Twins in Mixed Reality environments using appropriate software and hardware tools, and to implement simulations for multibody dynamics, virtual commissioning, and real-time data-driven system analysis. The student learns, through practice, the technologies to visualize the Digital Twin od a Mechatronic system in a Mixed Reality environment. The student makes practice on software and hardware tools for the creation or digitalization and the representation of a 3D Digital Twin of the system including virtual overlays.

Course contents

Introduction to Digital Twin concepts and their evolution.

Applications of Digital Twins in mechatronic systems.

Introduction to Extended Reality (XR): technologies, devices, and development platforms.

Creation and management of Digital Twin virtual environments.

Import, management, and animation of CAD models and virtual overlays representing mechatronic systems.

Integration of simulated sensor data and real-time data visualization.

Deployment and testing of Augmented Reality (AR)-based Digital Twin applications.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes

Technical papers available for students

Teaching material will be available on Virtuale platform

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures, laboratory activities, and project-based learning. 

Throughout the course, students work on a project aimed at developing a Digital Twin application for a mechanical or mechatronic system. Dedicated review sessions are organized to discuss project progress, receive feedback, and support the implementation process.

 

Given the nature of the activity and the teaching methods adopted, attendance in this course requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 of the Safety Training for Study Environments in e-learning mode before the course begins.

Assessment methods

The final assessment is based on the development, presentation, and discussion of a Digital Twin project.

Students, individually or in small groups, are required to design and implement a Digital Twin application for a mechanical or mechatronic system. The project shall demonstrate the integration of virtual models, simulated or real operational data, and XR-based visualization and interaction features.

 

The assessement is based on a pass/fail grade.

 

With regard to assessment of learning, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Hardware and software tools for Augmented Reality

Office hours

See the website of Francesca De Crescenzio

SDGs

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.