Transforming the CATIA Shuttle into a Mobile Smart Manufacturing Learning Experience
CATIA Championshuttle mobility contest
Introduction
What if an Industry 4.0 laboratory could travel instead of remaining confined to a university campus?
This idea inspired the development of NSPI on Wheels, a concept that reimagines the Shuttle as a fully equipped mobile Industry 4.0 laboratory.
The project was conceived to democratize access to Industry 4.0 education by bringing advanced manufacturing technologies and hands-on learning experiences closer to students, professionals, companies, and communities. Instead of requiring people to travel to specialized facilities, "NSPI on Wheels" brings the laboratory directly to them, providing an immersive learning environment that extends beyond the boundaries of traditional educational settings.
Designed and developed using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the shuttle integrates industrial robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, digital engineering, pneumatic systems, autonomous mobile robotics, and virtual reality into a single connected educational platform. More than a demonstration vehicle, it serves as a mobile environment where engineering concepts are transformed into practical experiences, fostering innovation, technical education, and collaboration between academia and industry.
The Challenge
Taking Industry 4.0 Education Beyond Traditional Laboratories
Despite the rapid advancement of Industry 4.0 technologies, access to hands-on learning environments remains limited. Advanced manufacturing laboratories typically require significant investments in infrastructure, specialized equipment, and dedicated facilities, making them accessible to only a limited number of students, researchers, and professionals.
As a result, many schools, educational institutions, and communities have limited opportunities to experience technologies such as industrial robotics, additive manufacturing, automation, digital engineering, and smart manufacturing through practical, hands-on activities.
To prepare the next generation of engineers, technicians, and technology professionals for the challenges of digital transformation, Industry 4.0 education must become more accessible, more flexible, and capable of reaching people wherever learning opportunities exist.
Our Solution
To address this challenge, the Shuttle was reimagined as a mobile Industry 4.0 laboratory, capable of delivering practical engineering education wherever learning opportunities exist.
Rather than functioning solely as a means of transportation, the shuttle serves as a fully integrated educational platform that combines industrial robotics, additive manufacturing, pneumatic automation, digital engineering, autonomous mobile robotics, and virtual reality within a compact and modular environment.
Every element of the interior was carefully designed to maximize functionality, accessibility, and flexibility while providing a comfortable workspace for demonstrations, workshops, and hands-on learning activities. The modular layout enables visitors to interact with real industrial technologies and understand how different engineering disciplines converge to create modern smart manufacturing systems.
By bringing the laboratory directly to schools, universities, companies, and technology events, "NSPI on Wheels" democratizes access to Industry 4.0 education, strengthening the connection between academia, industry, and society while inspiring the next generation of engineers and technology professionals.
The exterior design preserves the recognizable identity of the Shuttle while communicating its new educational mission. Large transparent surfaces allow visitors to view the laboratory from outside, reinforcing the concept of bringing Industry 4.0 closer to society.
Exploring the Mobile Industry 4.0 Laboratory
Every learning station was designed to showcase one of the core technologies of Industry 4.0. Together, they create an immersive educational journey where students, professionals, and visitors can experience how modern manufacturing systems are designed, integrated, and connected.
From robotics and automation to digital engineering, additive manufacturing, and virtual reality, each station combines theoretical concepts with hands-on learning, transforming the Shuttle into a complete mobile Industry 4.0 learning environment.
Station 01 – Pneumatic Automation
The Pneumatic Automation Station features an educational industrial cell composed of pneumatic actuators integrated with mechanical systems, valve terminals, sensors, and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). It provides a realistic environment for demonstrating the operation of industrial automation systems and their interaction within modern manufacturing processes.
Through hands-on activities, visitors can explore concepts related to industrial automation, PLC programming, process control, pneumatic systems, and production management, gaining practical experience with technologies widely used in smart manufacturing.
Station 02 – Industrial Robotics
The Industrial Robotics Station features an industrial robotic system designed to perform manufacturing operations with high precision, repeatability, and efficiency. It demonstrates how robotic automation enhances production processes through applications such as assembly, material handling, inspection, palletizing, and part manipulation.
Through interactive demonstrations and programming activities, visitors can explore the principles of industrial robotics, motion control, automation, and flexible manufacturing, gaining practical insight into one of the key enabling technologies of Industry 4.0.
Station 03 – Digital Engineering
The Digital Engineering Workstation serves as the central hub for product engineering and manufacturing planning. Using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, visitors can explore 3D modeling, product design, assembly, simulation, and digital validation before physical production.
This station demonstrates how digital engineering seamlessly connects engineering design with manufacturing, enabling faster design iterations, improved collaboration, and more efficient industrial processes.
Station 04 – Additive Manufacturing
The Additive Manufacturing Station introduces visitors to 3D printing technologies used for rapid prototyping and product development. It demonstrates how digital designs can be transformed into physical components quickly and efficiently.
Through this station, participants learn how additive manufacturing accelerates innovation, reduces development time, and supports the flexible production strategies of Industry 4.0.
Station 05 – Autonomous Mobile Robotics
The Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMR) Station features an autonomous mobile robot capable of intelligently navigating industrial environments using sensors, cameras, and advanced navigation algorithms. The AMR autonomously transports materials between different areas of a facility, avoiding obstacles and dynamically adjusting its route in real time without the need for fixed tracks or predefined paths.
Through interactive demonstrations, visitors can explore the principles of autonomous navigation and intelligent material handling, gaining a deeper understanding of how mobile robotics enhances flexibility, efficiency, and connectivity in Industry 4.0 manufacturing environments.
Station 06 – Immersive Learning Environment
The Immersive Learning Environment Station utilizes Virtual Reality (VR) technology to visualize and simulate industrial processes. It enables the representation of existing and future production environments within an immersive virtual space, allowing users to explore and interact with digital manufacturing systems before physical implementation.
Through immersive experiences, visitors can perform layout analysis, process validation, operator training, and design optmization, gaining practical insights into how virtual reality supports decision-making and digital transformation in Industry 4.0.
From a Real-World Laboratory to a Mobile Learning Experience
The concept behind NSPI on Wheels was inspired by the Center for Intelligent Production Systems (NSPI) at the Mauá Institute of Technology, where students and researchers have access to a fully equipped Industry 4.0 laboratory dedicated to education, research, and technological innovation. The existing laboratory served as the reference for the design of the shuttle's educational layout, learning stations, and practical training activities.
Rather than simply replicating industrial equipment, the project translates the laboratory's educational philosophy into a mobile learning environment. The CATIA Shuttle extends this real-world educational experience beyond the university campus, enabling demonstrations, workshops, and hands-on activities at schools, companies, and technology events.
By transforming an established educational environment into a mobile platform, NSPI on Wheels expands access to Industry 4.0 education while strengthening the connection between academia, industry, and society.
Project Demonstration
The following videos showcase the development of "NSPI on Wheels", highlighting its concept, design, engineering features, renderings, and immersive virtual reality experience—all developed using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Together, these videos provide a comprehensive overview of the project, illustrating how the shuttle was transformed into a fully functional mobile Industry 4.0 laboratory designed for engineering education, technology outreach, and hands-on learning.
Video 1 - Project Overview and Interior Design
Video 2 - Virtual Tour and Learning Stations
Video 3 - Virtual Reality (VR) Experience
Explore NSPI on Wheels through an immersive virtual reality environment, allowing visitors to explore the laboratory's interior.
Explore the Project
Explore the complete NSPI on Wheels project through the interactive 3DXML model. Navigate the mobile laboratory, examine its interior layout, and explore each learning station from different perspectives.
3DXML File
Conclusion
NSPI on Wheels demonstrates how the Shuttle can become much more than an autonomous vehicle. It becomes a mobile platform for engineering education, technology outreach, and Industry 4.0 learning.
By integrating digital engineering, robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, and connected systems within a single modular environment, the project strengthens the connection between academia, industry, and society while inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Because the future of Industry 4.0 should not be limited by location.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dassault Systèmes for organizing the Shuttle Mobility Contest and for inspiring students, educators, and engineers around the world to explore innovative applications of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Participating in this initiative has been both an enriching experience and a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how digital engineering can expand access to Industry 4.0 education.
The authors also extend their sincere appreciation to the Mauá Institute of Technology for its continuous support of engineering education, innovation, and applied research. The NSPI (Center for Intelligent Production Systems) laboratory served as the inspiration for the development of the NSPI on Wheels concept.
Finally, the authors acknowledge the creators of the publicly available CAD models and the manufacturers who provide CAD libraries, which were used exclusively for educational visualization purposes during the development of this project
Project Team
CAD Resources and References
The overall concept, interior layout, learning stations, engineering integration, renderings, animations, and educational content were developed entirely by the project team using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Publicly available CAD models were used solely to represent commercially available equipment and standard accessories, enhancing the realism of the virtual environment. All third-party resources are properly acknowledged below.
Software Platform
Dassault Systèmes. (n.d.). 3DSpace: 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://r1132100586211-us1-academia-ifwe.3dexperience.3ds.com/
Official Manufacturer CAD Libraries
Invent. (n.d.). Smart Intralogistics Solutions. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.invent-corp.com/
SCHUNK. (n.d.). SCHUNK CAD/ECAD Data: Informative and Up to Date. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://schunk.com/br/pt/servicos/downloads/dados-cad/ecad-
SMC Corporation. (n.d.). SMC CAD System. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.smcworld.com/cad2d/en/item.do?ca_id=107&se_id=2124&mode=&se=true
Yaskawa Europe. (n.d.). Document Download Center. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.yaskawa.eu.com/services/download-center
Public CAD Resources (Supporting Models)
GrabCAD. (n.d.). 3D Printer Anet A8. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/3d-printer-anet-a8-3
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Channellock Slip Joint Pliers 424 Straight Jaw Tongue Groove Hardened Steel 4.5 in. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/channellock-slip-joint-pliers-424-straight-jaw-tongue-groove-hardened-steel-4-5-in-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Dell PC Keyboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/dell-pc-keyboard-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Hand Pliers. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/hand-pliers-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Innen-Sechskantschlüsselset mit Kugelkopf. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/innen-sechskantschlusselset-mit-kugelkopf-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Laptop Wooden Stand. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/laptop-wooden-stand-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Motion View 5 A. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/motion-view-5-a-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Notebook: CGPdesign Educations. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/notebook-cgpdesign-educations-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Solar Panel. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/solar-panel-36-66-cm-1
GrabCAD. (n.d.). VR Glasses. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/vr-glasses-4
GrabCAD. (n.d.). Xcelite L4G Micro Pliers. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://grabcad.com/library/xcelite-l4g-micro-pliers-1
