Since 2005, we are using educational games in the course „Einführung in die Regelungstechnik“ (Introduction to automatic control).
The project started with the game spaceballRT, which uses Sysquake LE as free available programming platform. The game allows to design different P, PI, and PID controllers for a spaceball that has to follow a given trajectory. In parallel, we developed the Macromedia flash game submarineRT. Here, the students can compare PID and state space controllers. Thereby, they study the fundamental analysis and design tools taught in class. As a first educational game for advanced control courses, we developed spacecraftRT which is used in the course Regelungstechnik II (Automatic Control II).