Michele Basso

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About

Michele Basso is an educator and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of robotics, control systems, and engineering education. His research has focused on leveraging accessible, affordable platforms — most notably LEGO Mindstorms — to teach complex concepts in control theory and rapid prototyping. Basso's most recognized contribution is his development of an integrated LEGO Mindstorms/Simulink framework for educational robotics, demonstrated through the ambitious "Lego-bike" project, which challenged students to model and stabilize a self-balancing bicycle. This work, which has garnered 13 citations, illustrates how industry-standard simulation tools can be meaningfully paired with low-cost hardware to create rich, hands-on learning experiences. His 2013 companion paper further explored rapid controller prototyping within the same integrated environment, reinforcing the pedagogical value of the approach. More recently, Basso extended his creative use of toy robots into physics education, designing a tricycle-based mechanical analog to demonstrate optical refraction — a novel approach to making abstract physical principles tangible. Across his work, Basso demonstrates a consistent talent for transforming playful, accessible technology into rigorous educational tools that bridge theory and practice for engineering students.