The ETS DIDACTIC tec2SKILL connect is not a PLC in the traditional sense—it is a hybrid-interface module that bridges the gap between industrial control hardware and augmented reality (AR) based training. Designed specifically for automation technology education, this board-form device allows students and trainees to connect a real programmable logic controller (PLC)—such as a Siemens LOGO or ET200—to a virtual, animated transfer system running on a tablet. This unique approach enables an entire class to simulate, test, and debug their control programs in a safe, cost-effective, and highly engaging virtual environment before ever deploying to physical hardware.

The core value of the tec2SKILL connect lies in its ability to merge the tangible experience of working with genuine industrial controllers with the flexibility and visibility of AR. Through the companion tec2SKILL Connect iOS app, learners can see the real-time status of the connected PLC reflected in the animated virtual system. This bidirectional communication via Wi-Fi allows them to call up signals and control the virtual process, providing immediate visual feedback on the behavior of their ladder logic or GRAFCET-based programs. This instant, visual correlation between code and machine action is a powerful pedagogical tool that accelerates comprehension and debugging skills.

In terms of didactic scope, the system supports a full training workflow. Students can engage in creating GRAFCET charts, writing PLC programs, commissioning the virtual system, and performing comprehensive functional tests. The hybrid nature of the module means that the same control code can later be deployed to a real, physical training rig, reinforcing the direct applicability of the skills learned. The tec2SKILL connect is therefore employed in vocational training and higher education across key fields such as control engineering, industrial automation, and increasingly, internet security as it relates to operational technology (OT) environments.

By decoupling the control logic from the physical machine, ETS DIDACTIC has created a scalable, resource-efficient training solution. It reduces the need for multiple expensive hardware simulators while providing a richer, more insightful learning experience than pure software simulation alone. The tec2SKILL connect represents a modern, pragmatic approach to training the next generation of automation engineers, equipping them with hands-on PLC programming and commissioning skills in a digitized, AR-enhanced classroom setting.

Technical Specifications