Abstract:

Public awareness and stakeholder understanding of emerging transportation technologies often lag behind their technical readiness. Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT)—which enables electric vehicles to charge wirelessly while driving over coils embedded in the roadway—is a clear example. Although pilot projects have demonstrated the feasibility of this technology on public roads, broader recognition remains limited. Communicating the benefits and operational principles of DWPT is particularly challenging because its primary advantage—continuous vehicle charging while driving—is inherently experiential and difficult to convey through traditional instructional materials. This highlights the need for interactive learning tools that enable users to engage with DWPT concepts firsthand.

To address this need, we developed a gamified digital twin driving simulator in Unity as an educational tool for experiential learning. In the simulator, users take the role of an electric vehicle driver navigating a suburban road network that includes both conventional and DWPT-equipped roadway segments. The simulation incorporates validated parameters from real-world DWPT deployments, including lateral misalignment sensitivity, speed-dependent power transfer, and battery state-of-charge dynamics. A real-time in-vehicle dashboard visualizes charging power, battery state of charge, and system performance, making otherwise invisible power transfer processes understandable.

The platform integrates embedded educational content to support conceptual understanding alongside interactive exploration. Instructional elements include guided tutorials, contextual explanations of wireless charging principles, and interactive feedback that highlights how driving behavior—such as lane alignment and speed—affects charging efficiency. These features are designed to help users connect observed simulation outcomes with underlying engineering concepts, enabling learning without requiring prior technical expertise.

Preliminary results from internal testing and evaluation will be presented, providing insights into the effectiveness of the gamified approach for supporting experiential learning and technology awareness.

By combining gamified interaction, digital twin simulation, and integrated instructional support, this work demonstrates how interactive environments can enhance understanding of complex engineering systems. The approach provides a scalable and accessible method for supporting education and stakeholder awareness of emerging transportation technologies.

Keywords:

Game-Based Learning, Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT), Digital Twin, Driving Simulation, Electric Vehicle Education, Interactive Learning Environments.