Centro de investigación en Mecatrónica y Sistemas Interactivos
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Adaptive Jamming Mitigation for Clustered Energy-Efficient LoRa-BLE Hybrid Wireless Sensor Networks

2025 , Carolina Del-Valle-Soto , Leonardo J. Valdivia , Ramiro Velázquez , José A. Del-Puerto-Flores , Varela Aldas, José , Paolo Visconti

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MobileTestPro: Testing Framework for Mobile Application

2025 , Jorge Romero-Collaguazo , Danilo Martinez , Zapata, Mireya , Xavier Ferre

In the last decade, both the mobile market and app development have seen exponential growth, with millions of apps in online stores and billions of downloads recorded. Several development processes are used for app development, with agile approaches being the best fit for the market model. However, there is a weakness in testing activities and tasks. To provide a tool to improve software quality, we present a proposal for a framework for software testing in apps. Our proposal combines a series of tools used to evaluate an application in key areas such as consistency, security, compatibility, stress, among others, the development activities that provide a deliverable, and Mobile Ilities. To evaluate the feasibility of using the proposal, a toy app was used. The results reflect situations where the app’s behavior is not desired and its relationship with mobile ilities. The main contribution of the paper is to guide app developers in evaluating apps and contributing to improving app quality.

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Web Accessibility in Latin American Universities: A Path to Global Rankings and Digital Inclusion

2025 , Patricia Acosta-Vargas , Gloria Acosta-Vargas , Belen Salvador-Acosta , Marcos Chacon-Castro , Jadán Guerrero, Janio

Web accessibility is increasingly recognized as a key factor in assessing higher education institutions’ quality, inclusion, and social responsibility. This topic is particularly relevant in Latin America, where significant disparities in digital equity and access to resources persist. This study analyzes the web accessibility of the top 20 Latin American universities based on their rankings in QS World University Rankings, Webometrics, SCImago Institutions Rankings, and Times Higher Education (THE). Using automated and manual assessment tools, including WAVE, PageSpeed ​​​​Insights, and expert assessments, the study identifies 434 contrast errors, 210 missing text alternatives, and 262 navigation issues on university websites. The results show that universities such as USP, UNAM, and Unicamp rank high in international rankings but have critical accessibility deficiencies, highlighting the gap between digital visibility and inclusion. By aligning with WCAG 2.2 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry and Innovation), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), universities can improve global competitiveness while fostering digital inclusion. This research proposes a structured framework to promote accessibility through a seven-phase methodology, addressing barriers, implementing improvements, and validating effectiveness. The findings provide a systematic approach for universities to optimize accessibility, improve user experience, and strengthen their international positioning

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Dual-Arm Mobile Manipulator Teleoperation With Coupled Rate-Position Mapping Under Time-Varying Delays

2025 , Chicaiza Claudio, Fernando , Emanuel Slawiñski , Vicente Mut

Bilateral teleoperation of dual-arm mobile manipulators presents considerable challenges. These include increased kinematic redundancy, coordination complexity, and sensitivity to time-varying communication delays. Most existing approaches control each arm independently using leader position-based mappings; however, the teleoperation of mobile dual-arm systems mechanically coupled through an articulated torso remains largely unexplored. Unlike previous studies that primarily emphasize controller tuning, this work emphasizes the critical role of command mapping design in achieving effective teleoperation. Specifically, it analyzes a coupled rate/nonlinear-position mapping strategy that enables coordinated motion in a torso-equipped dual-arm mobile manipulator operated through a dual-leader haptic interface. The proposed framework extends existing single-arm teleoperation schemes by introducing a coupled reference generation mechanism, where the reference for the secondary arm depends on both the position of the secondary leader and the rate-position-type reference of the primary arm. A two-stage stability analysis, based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii criterion and numerical simulations, is conducted to determine the parameter conditions required to ensure bounded coordination errors in the presence of time-varying communication delays. Preliminary human-in-the-loop tests in dual-arm pick-and-place tasks support the theoretical findings and demonstrate a clear dependence of motion stability on the structure of the command mapping. The results provide foundational insights into the joint optimization of control and mapping strategies and offer practical guidelines for advancing teleoperation in complex, real-world scenarios.

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Identification of Areas for Improvement in Digital Pedagogical Competencies through Information Technologies, Communication, and Artificial Intelligence: An Innovative Approach in Teacher Training

2025 , Paola Andrea Arciniegas García , Marcos Chacón-Castro , Elizabeth Durán Romero , Jose Gerardo Chacon Rangel , Jadán Guerrero, Janio

Technological advances pose challenges for teachers at different educational levels, where the application of ICT strategies requires training and strengthening of digital skills, so it is essential to constantly update teachers to improve teaching in the long term. Thus, the objective of this research is to identify the areas of improvement regarding the digital competencies of educators for the optimization of their teaching practices through a training program mediated by ICT. Regarding the applied methodology, it was carried out under a sample of 27 secondary education teachers by means of a descriptive non-experimental design through a complementary mixed method that was developed in four phases: a) characterization of the digital competencies of the trainers. B) design of the strategy and training in digital competencies. C) implementation of the training strategy. And d) evaluation of the strategy. Among the findings, 74% of the sample reached satisfactory levels with respect to the training program, affirming that training in digital competencies, based on instructional design and evaluation models, achieves positive results, presenting a significant improvement in the digital competencies of teachers.

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Evaluating Web Accessibility in Countries Included in the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index

2025 , Patricia Acosta-Vargas , Belén Salvador-Acosta , Mauricio Loachamín-Valencia , Marcos Chacón-Castro , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Luis Salvador-Ullauri

This study examines the relationship between the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index (ILIA) and the Web Accessibility Index (WAIN) in 19 Latin American countries to evaluate how technological innovation aligns with digital inclusivity. Results reveal notable disparities: Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil excel in both indices, whereas Jamaica and Venezuela face critical challenges. Significantly, high scores in artificial intelligence adoption do not always correlate with improved web accessibility, underscoring the need for integrated strategies that prioritize compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 and inclusive design. The research highlights accessibility as a fundamental pillar for sustainable digital ecosystems and equitable access to technology. Limitations include the regional focus on Latin America, the reliance on automated tools, and the dynamic nature of technology. Future research should incorporate longitudinal analyses, user-centered evaluations, and comparative studies across diverse regions to develop comprehensive frameworks that are grounded in empirical evidence. By aligning technological progress with inclusivity, this study emphasizes the importance of fostering sustainable and accessible digital environments. Recommendations include adopting accessibility standards in early development stages, enhancing public policy, and prioritizing universal design. These steps are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive institutions. This work is a foundation for advancing equitable digital ecosystems in Latin America.

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Artificial Intelligence and Assistive Technologies: A Systematic Review of Educational Applications for Disabilities

2025 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Tania Calle-Jimenez , Sandra Sanchez-Gordon

The global population of individuals with disabilities, representing 15% of the world’s people, faces significant challenges in accessing higher education due to insufficient accessibility and persistent discrimination. This paper aims to evaluate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and assistive technologies in higher education to improve learning experiences for students with disabilities. Despite advancements in AI, only a small proportion of students with disabilities report satisfaction with existing inclusion efforts. Through a systematic review of the scientific literature from 2019 to 2023, this study examines the current use of AI in higher education, focusing on its application to enhance accessibility, personalized learning, and support for students with disabilities. The research highlights key areas such as intelligent tutoring systems, adaptive learning, and the role of educational technologies in fostering inclusion. While AI and assistive technologies hold great potential, challenges including ethical concerns, biases, and the low adoption rate of assistive technologies remain. The findings emphasize the need for further research to ensure that AI fosters genuine inclusion rather than exacerbating exclusion, urging continued efforts in developing more accessible educational environments for all students.

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Drivers for the Intention to Buy Wearables in a Latin American Country

2025 , Cruz Cárdenas, Jorge , Andrés Palacio-Fierro , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Guacyra Nascimento-Queiroz

The daily conduct of millions of people worldwide demonstrates the profound impact of technology on contemporary civilization. Wearables are a prominent example of this transformation. Due to their significance, companies in this sector are considering nearly tripling their sales of these devices by 2028. However, understanding the factors that influence user adoption has become crucial. Most studies have been conducted in developed countries, so this research aims to explore these factors in a developing country to determine if there are differences compared to developed nations. The study uses a personal survey with a sample of 360 individuals and employs a multiple approach for the prediction model. Results show that an innovative attitude and hedonic motivation are key drivers in predicting the intention to buy wearable technology devices. The main conclusion of this study is that certain factors do not contribute to explaining the intention to purchase wearables in developing countries, as they do in higher-income nations. This finding suggests a need to adjust marketing strategies to better target Latin American markets

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Optimizing Agriculture with LoRaWAN and HCI: A Smart Approach to Sustainable Farming

2025 , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Zapata, Mireya , Cristopher Toapanta , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

Modern agriculture faces challenges including water scarcity, excessive fertilizer use, and limited connectivity in rural areas, all exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a smart agriculture system leveraging LoRaWAN technology and human-computer interfaces (HCI) to address these issues. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors, a LoRaWAN-based network, and a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as soil moisture, ambient humidity and temperature. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in optimizing water and fertilizer use while maintaining scalability for large agricultural operations. The system operates reliably within rural environments without relying on traditional internet infrastructure, offering an affordable and sustainable solution. Field tests validate the system’s performance, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making and resource efficiency in floriculture and beyond. Future work aims to expand the system’s capabilities with additional sensors, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and automated control mechanisms, further supporting sustainable farming practices

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Kiteracy-PiFo: Technological Tool for Teaching the Rules of Grapheme-Phoneme Correspondence

2025 , María de los Ángeles Carpio-Brenes , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin

This study presents Kiteracy-PiFo, a technological tool designed to teach grapheme-phoneme correspondence to preschool students. Combining computer engineering and special education, the tool was developed to enhance Human-Computer Interaction in early literacy education. Despite challenges, including unforeseen events and technical issues, the tool was successfully implemented across schools in Cartago, Costa Rica. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in vowel recognition between the experimental group using Kiteracy-PiFo and the control group using traditional methods, with the experimental group achieving higher results in less time. These findings suggest that integrating innovative technologies like Kiteracy-PiFo into educational practices can effectively accelerate learning in early childhood settings. However, successful implementation depends on strong pedagogical support and alignment with psychological principles to meet students’ cognitive and emotional needs.

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