Experiential Learning Through Controlling and Monitoring a Real-Time 3D House Using LabVIEW in a Virtual Laboratory

Abstract

This paper presents a new virtual laboratory based on a simulation environment for educational purposes. This virtual laboratory covers an important part of the smart home technology, acquiring and processing of different types of data and controls via the cloud technology. A smart house is a regular house that uses intelligent technology to efficiently gather information for the purpose of monitoring and controlling the home environment (e.g. temperature, lighting) and its electronic and mechanical devices. Its purpose is not only to make life easier for those who would benefit from these facilities on a daily basis, but also to create as much comfort as possible and a safer living environment. This paper presents a LabVIEW-based smart home simulator automation. In addition to this software created by National Instruments, a home simulator, HOME I/O developed by Real games, is used. The system can monitor and adjust the home temperature and is able to automatically adjust the brightness of every room’s light fixtures or of the outside lights. At the same time, the alarm system can be controlled, with its motion sensors, doors and windows opening sensors for the occupants’ enhanced safety and protection. The software was also designed with energy saving mindfulness making the home an eco-friendly place. To highlight the possibility of using the developed technology in a real environment, a hardware part of the system was implemented by using a MyRIO NI device.