Electrical and Computer Engineering students develop iCtrl, an application enabling seamless connectivity to lab machines, streamlining academic tasks and enhancing learning experiences.
Accessing lab machines has long been a challenge for engineering students, often requiring complicated procedures and significant time. Recognizing this issue, Junhao Liao, a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department, worked with Professor Hamid Shokrollah-Timorabadi to create iCtrl, an innovative application designed to transform how students connect with lab resources.
The primary goal of iCtrl is to enable seamless, remote access to lab machines, allowing students to perform their academic tasks as efficiently as if they were physically present in the lab. By simplifying these workflows, iCtrl not only enhances the learning experience but also reduces barriers to remote education, a necessity in today’s increasingly digital academic landscape.
Since its inception, iCtrl has been a resounding success due to its user-friendly interface and has had over 60,000 downloads.
As Professor Hamid Shokrollah-Timorabadi explains, the project reflects the heart of engineering: identifying societal needs and applying technical expertise to solve real-world problems. Moreover, hands-on, innovative projects like iCtrl provide students with the opportunity to develop practical skills and make tangible contributions to their field.
This initiative highlights how engineering students are driving change by leveraging technology to create solutions that support academic success and accessibility. iCtrl is a testament to the transformative power of student-driven innovation in education.