Virtual environments provide immersive training opportunities across various domains, including robotics. This paper presents a cloud-based platform for underwater robotics education, integrating virtual reality for teleoperation and a digital twin for real-time interaction with physical equipment. Web-based virtual reality and Internet of Things protocols enable remote, device-independent access to Florida International University’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory for Coastal Conservation and Restoration (RASCAR) to operate an underwater robot. A pilot study evaluated the platform’s usability, with results demonstrating its potential for hands-on underwater robotics training.
