---
key: mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g22
type: mechanic
id: electronic-devices--family-g22
lang: en
title: Controlling external objects
summary: >-
  A digital panel controls external objects by assigning a route, mode or
  command. The player checks the outcome in the world.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g22/
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g22.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g22.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Electronic devices in games
  - World
sourceIds:
  - source-a088527490edebae
sources:
  - id: source-a088527490edebae
    title: Mini Metro
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: electronic-devices
    id: family-g22
    title: Electronic devices in games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/electronic-devices/#family-g22'
    categoryIds:
      - section-2
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Controlling external objects
    description: >-
      A digital panel controls external objects by assigning a route, mode or
      command. The player checks the outcome in the world.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/interface-mini-metro-00.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Mini Metro
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/287980/ss_c7bc5df7e606504709e9f53ff9c7584ac4c01b18.1920x1080.jpg?t=1724386220
      credit: Dinosaur Polo Club / Dinosaur Polo Club
      rights: >-
        © Dinosaur Polo Club / Dinosaur Polo Club. All rights reserved. Excluded
        from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: 'Mini Metro: the route diagram determines train movement'
      alt: 'Mini Metro: the route diagram determines train movement'
      markers:
        - x: 46
          'y': 47
          label: Connections define train routes and transfers
    tips:
      - Show the link between a panel command and the controlled object.
    examples:
      - title: Mini Metro
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/electronic-devices
---
# Controlling external objects

id: electronic-devices--family-g22
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g22
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g22/

A digital panel controls external objects by assigning a route, mode or command. The player checks the outcome in the world.

## At a glance

![Mini Metro: the route diagram determines train movement](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/interface-mini-metro-00.webp)

[Mini Metro](https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/) · © Dinosaur Polo Club / Dinosaur Polo Club. All rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. Connections define train routes and transfers

- Show the link between a panel command and the controlled object.

- [Mini Metro](https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/)

## How it works

Devices: Computer; Smartphone; Terminal; Device.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-g22-variants"></a>

- Open or lock. Rule: Manage electronic doors, locks, locks and gates. <a id="variant-g22-01"></a>
- Control lighting and climate. Rule: Change visibility, temperature and indoor conditions. <a id="variant-g22-02"></a>
- Switch infrastructure. Rule: Operate an elevator, traffic light, bridge or transportation system. <a id="variant-g22-03"></a>
- Pilot remotely. Rule: Drive a drone, robot, camera on wheels or other controlled vehicle... <a id="variant-g22-04"></a>
- Command automation. Rule: Assign a target and mode to a turret, security system or robot. <a id="variant-g22-05"></a>
- Manage equipment. Rule: Select modes of a machine, printer, medical or household device. <a id="variant-g22-06"></a>
- Start production. Rule: Give a drawing or recipe to a machine and get a physical result... <a id="variant-g22-07"></a>
- Enable virtual space. Rule: Enter a simulation or control a digital twin of an object. <a id="variant-g22-08"></a>

## Context and limits

Author's taxonomy of actions, task forms and end-to-end conditions for design. Categories overlap. References support individual families, not every variant.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Mini Metro](https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/) (id: source-a088527490edebae)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors