Facultad de Ingenierías

Parent Organisation

Universidad Indoamérica

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From simulation to reality: a learning methodology for understanding control systems and robotic arms with the ARCHIE robot
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-04-10)
Saeteros, Juan
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Mendoza, Erick
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Ramirez, Jefferson
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Fajardo-Pruna, Marcelo
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Buele, Jorge
Bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world implementation remains a critical challenge in the teaching of control systems and robotics. This paper presents an education method using ARCHIE, a low-cost, open-source articulated robot with six degrees of freedom, as an educational platform designed to enhance students’ understanding of control theory through practical learning. The study combines simulation (using MATLAB’s Simscape) with hands-on practice using the physical robot, following a Sim2Real methodology. A two-hour workshop was conducted with undergraduate mechatronics engineering students, incorporating pre- and post-assessments to evaluate learning gains. Preliminary results suggest a statistically significant improvement in students’ understanding of PID control concepts, with average test scores rising from 46.6% to 63.3% (p = 0.0454, two-tailed). The study also highlights the benefits of active learning, allowing students to experience real-world control system behavior and reflect on discrepancies between simulations and physical implementation. ARCHIE proves to be a valuable educational tool for fostering deeper comprehension of control systems in engineering curricula. © 2026 Saeteros, Mendoza, Ramirez, Fajardo-Pruna, Buele, Yumbla and Saldarriaga.
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Advances in end-user water conservation technologies: a scoping review
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-04-15)
Fernández-Vizcarra, Luis
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Chambilla-Zuñiga, Josué
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Gutiérrez-Aguilar, Olger
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Buele, Jorge
Introduction Water scarcity, intensified by climate change, urbanization, and increasing demand, requires sustainable strategies aimed at reducing consumption among end users. In this context, this article develops a scoping review to examine what types of sustainable technologies aimed at water conservation among end users have been investigated, how they are evaluated, and what types of evidence are reported regarding their effectiveness. Methods Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Wiley Online Library, and EBSCO Engineering Source databases following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review integrates a bibliometric analysis of the field and a synthesis of 14 selected empirical studies addressing domestic efficiency technologies, adoption dynamics, digital monitoring systems, and resource management approaches. Results The evidence shows high methodological diversity and limited standardization of effective metrics, as only a small proportion of studies explicitly report quantified or directly measured water savings. Nevertheless, consistent patterns emerge depending on the type of intervention. Circular water management and decentralized reuse strategies report the highest potential impacts, with potable water savings ≥30% through greywater treatment and reductions of up to 80% in integrated urban scenarios. Rainwater harvesting and green infrastructure report runoff reductions between 58.3 and 94.1%, generating indirect benefits for urban water management. In contrast, informational and behavioral interventions tend to produce moderate but consistent reductions in consumption. Digital technologies based on IoT, smart metering, and advanced analytics demonstrate strong technical performance in monitoring and leak detection, although they rarely quantify post-implementation water savings. Conclusion The findings suggest that effective water conservation among end users depends on approaches that combine technological solutions, user engagement, and standardized evaluation frameworks capable of linking technological performance with verifiable reductions in water consumption.
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The illusion of flexibility and the limits of teacher autonomy in the Ecuadorian curriculum
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-05-21)
Núñez Torres, María Giovanna
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Buele, Jorge
Introduction Curriculum reforms in Latin America emphasize flexibility, contextualization, and teacher autonomy. In Ecuador, the 2016 curriculum operationalizes these through Skills with Performance Criteria (PC). Methods An analytical–interpretive approach was applied, examining the national curriculum alongside literature on educational governance and critical pedagogy. Results The PC-based structure, with its criteria and indicators, organizes planning, evaluation, and documentation around predefined outcomes. While this promotes coherence, it fragments practice into discrete units. Contextualization occurs in teaching, but validation relies on standardized references, creating tension between adaptation and assessment. Teacher work is structured by planning and verification processes. Discussion Interpreted as controlled freedom, autonomy is recognized but bounded, and flexibility emerges as a practice shaped by technical constraints.
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Robotics in higher education and its impact on digital learning
(2025)
Zamora Lascano, Patrick
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Lozada, Alan
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Buele, Jorge
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Avilés-Castillo, Fátima
In recent years, robotics has transformed various industrial processes but has also influenced teaching methodologies. Although there are literature reviews on its application in professional training, many are outdated or lack a current focus on its impact in higher education. Addressing this gap, the present mini review examines the impact, challenges, and opportunities of this technology in the university setting. To this end, a search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, APA PsycNet, and Web of Science databases, selecting 11 studies that addressed diverse applications of robotics, including educational robotics, robotic telepresence, human-robot interaction, and artificial intelligence applications. Their effects on teaching, the factors influencing their adoption, and the strategies used to optimize their implementation were analyzed. The findings show that educational robotics enhances student motivation and engagement, with prediction models reaching an accuracy of 98.78% in assessing academic engagement. Additionally, robotic telepresence emerges as an effective alternative for hybrid education, and social robots and AI-based tutors demonstrated their potential to personalize learning. However, methodological and structural challenges persist, such as the need to develop more accurate evaluation metrics and ensure accessibility and educational equity. Future research should focus on improving these aspects, enabling more efficient integration to enhance teaching processes. This study was registered in the Open Science Framework under the code: 10.17605/OSF.IO/KHDTU.
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IoT Monitoring to Control a Bicycle Parking Lot
(2022)
Ruales, María Belén
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Lara-Alvarez P.
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Riba C.
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Ayala-Chauvin, Manuel Ignacio
In recent years, the development of new technologies has improved the management of resources and services at the urban level. In this sense, several cities worldwide have developed intelligent infrastructures such as Smart Cities in which, through data collection and management, they aim to achieve social, environmental and economic improvements. Innovative bike racks are a promising solution to traffic-related problems in major cities around the world; however, there is a lack of low-cost solutions for controlling and monitoring bike racks and thus boosting the mobility of cyclists. This paper presents a system to monitor and control a bicycle parking lot. In order to achieve this goal, software and hardware specifications were defined and characterised by the control system. The conceptual design and detail of the prototype and the materialisation proceeded, where technology with ESP8266 microcontrollers and Raspberry Pi+Ethernet/WiFi microprocessors was used in the MQTT communication protocol to implement its architecture. The system implements in the bicycle parking lot of the Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica. The series of data collected allowed for determining the frequency of use. With this, a database creates where the information on the frequency of use of bicycles is stored. Finally, through a mobile application, the availability of parking spaces can be consulted, and bikes in the parking lot can monitor. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AUTHORS OF MUSICAL WORKS AND THEIR COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN ECUADOR AND SPAIN
(2022)
Tocoronte, E.M.
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Álvarez Sánchez, Ana
This article deals with the essential elements that intervene with the ability to understand, from the different text typologies in the teaching-learning process of the Castilian language, based on theory, as well as Colombian normative documents, which as a whole and based on the Political Constitution of 1991, must guarantee an inclusive education, where the social and cultural environment of the individuals must be taken into account in order to develop a meaningful and contextualized pedago-gical practice. Throughout the writing, the teaching-learning process is related with the formation of the ability to understand, from different text typologies, as a dynamic element of this process in the third grade students of Basic Primary Education. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.
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User Experience in Virtual Reality (VR) Applications for Elderly People with Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Scoping Review
(2024)
Buele, Jorge
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Avilés-Castillo, Fátima
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Guillermo Palacios-Navarro
Background: In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to improve the well-being and functional capabilities of older adults. Although VR applications have shown positive results, their impact on user experience and therapeutic outcomes still needs to be evaluated. Objective: This scoping review aims to analyze existing studies on VR use in older adults with neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on the factors that influence usability, satisfaction, and immersion, as well as the effects on emotional and cognitive well-being. Materials and Methods: Empirical studies in English were included on VR applications applied to older adults with cognitive impairment without study design restrictions. The search was conducted in IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, identifying a total of 650 initial results. After screening, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Immersive VR tends to generate a greater sense of presence, which contributes to improving emotional well-being and reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as apathy and depression. However, its impact on cognitive functions, including memory and executive skills, varied depending on the level of immersion and participant characteristics. Despite these positive findings, significant heterogeneity was evident in study designs, measurement instruments, and user experience indicators. Conclusion: Virtual environments have great potential as a therapeutic tool for older adults, but their success depends on the personalization of applications and the adaptation of technology to the specific needs of this population. Future research should focus on developing standardized protocols, incorporating adaptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, and evaluating the long-term effects of VR to maximize its benefits and minimize its risks. This review was registered in Open Science Framework (OSF). Registration Number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/PNU36
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Exploring Challenges and Strategies for Measuring the Social Impact of Entrepreneurship in Ecuador
(2025)
Álvarez Sánchez, Ana
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Suárez del Villar, Alexis
Research conducted in Ecuador reveals that while 27% of entrepreneurs surveyed identified lack of liquidity as their main challenge, another 23% highlighted low sales as a significant obstacle, and 19% pointed to insecurity. These challenges vary markedly between regions such as Pichincha, Guayas, Manabí and Azuay, which complicates the standardization of methods for measuring the social impact of ventures. Through qualitative interviews and quantitative analysis of INEC data, it was observed that less than 40% of entrepreneurs in Pichincha are trained in impact assessment techniques, which contrasts with the need for training and tools adapted to local contexts. This lack of preparation underlines the urgency of developing customized methodologies that allow entrepreneurs and policy makers to better understand and support the sustainable growth of entrepreneurship in each province. The need for adaptation and customization of measurement tools is evident, particularly in provinces where economic and cultural characteristics vary significantly, e.g. in Azuay, where the artisanal sector is preponderant, it would be beneficial to implement measurement systems that consider cultural and community impacts in addition to economic ones, and collaboration between academia, government and non-governmental organizations can provide vital support in the creation of these methodologies, ensuring that they are robust and relevant. By fostering a stronger environment for social impact measurement, supportive policies could be improved, thus contributing to more equitable economic and social development in Ecuador. This study suggests a clear path towards creating a more effective framework for assessing and maximizing the social impact of ventures, opening up opportunities for future research that delves deeper into the interaction between public policies and entrepreneurial practices in different regional settings.
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Estimation of Standard Times of Manual Activities with IoT Tools
(2025)
Espejo Vinan, Hernán
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Molina, Lloyd
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Ramírez, Carlos
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Andagama, Jose
Currently, the determination of standard times of manual activities involves several measurement techniques with the use of classical instruments such as stopwatches, work sampling, predicted time systems, video analysis, among other engineering techniques, which are generally invasive in the workplace and require several resources and countless manual activities and calculations; In order to automate the determination of standard times, programmable controllers with Python language and the principles of the internet of things are applied, in addition to digital and analog sensors, for the proposal of a prototype of production data acquisition consisting of a raspberry pi device, an infrared proximity sensor, and a bar code reader, which collect data from manual manufacturing activities, by analyzing the data collected and processing them statistically compared with the manual technique of determining standard times with stopwatch has a distortion of 1.4% and a confidence margin of 95%. This is the beginning of the use of this type of prototypes for the estimation of standard times of manual activities with the use of IoT tools, in addition to this, in the future it is expected that using the same infrastructure, it will be possible to track speeds and production volumes that will serve as the basis for the automation of programming, planning and production control of manufacturing industries without the need for automatic machines and equipment in the production areas.
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Energy Transition in Industry as a Viable Path to Sustainable Decarbonization
(2025)
Humberto Murillo-Jiménez
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Marco Centeno-Alarcón
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Buele, Jorge
The industrial sector, responsible for a substantial share of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces the dual challenge of advancing decarbonization while ensuring long-term competitiveness. Addressing this dilemma requires a transition toward renewable energy sources that not only reduce emissions but also enhance energy security and compliance with increasingly stringent climate regulations. This study examines the integration of renewable energy technologies into industrial processes, highlighting both opportunities and persistent barriers. On the benefits side, renewable adoption has the potential to deliver significant emission reductions, strengthen energy independence, and improve corporate reputation through alignment with sustainability targets. Nevertheless, limitations such as high initial investment costs, intermittency of supply, technological uncertainty, and unstable regulatory frameworks continue to hinder large-scale deployment. Emerging digital technologies, including machine learning for predictive maintenance and blockchain for energy traceability, are identified as enabling tools that improve efficiency, transparency, and integration across supply chains. By employing a narrative review methodology, this analysis synthesizes documented case studies and verifiable performance metrics to provide a structured view of current practices. Findings demonstrate that sector-specific renewable integration, such as solar thermal in manufacturing or green hydrogen in heavy industries is both technically feasible and economically viable under favorable conditions, yielding measurable reductions in carbon intensity. However, success depends on designing tailored strategies that consider local resource availability, fostering stable policy frameworks that reduce investment risk, and promoting cross-sector collaboration. Ultimately, a context-sensitive and adaptive approach emerges as essential to scaling industrial decarbonization without undermining competitiveness, ensuring that sustainability and productivity evolve in tandem.
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Facultad de Ingenierías

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