Remote laboratories allow users to perform experiments and laboratory tasks over the Internet without being near the actual equipment.

In a traditional proximal laboratory, the user interacts directly with the equipment by peforming physical actions (e.g. manipulating with the hands, pressing buttons, turning knobs) and receiving sensory feedback (visual, audio and tactile).

Model of Traditional Laboratory Interaction

In a remote laboratory, this same interaction takes place at a distance with the assistance of the remote infrastructure. This is a new layer that sits in between the user and the laboratory equipment. It is responsible for conveying user actions and receiving sensory information from the equpment.

Model of Remote Laboratory Interaction

On the user’s side, the remote infrastructure performs the following key functions:

  • Provides a user interface that allows the experiment apparatus to be monitored and operated.
  • Manages access to the laboratory, to ensure that only one user can use an experiment at a time

Example of a user interface with inset camera view of apparatus

On the equipment side, the remote infrastructure performs the following key functions:

  • Monitors the apparatus, e.g. through the use of video cameras, microphones and other sensors.
  • Controls the apparatus, e.g. through the use of I/O interfaces, motors or other actuators
  • Ensures that the experiment is ‘cleaned up’ at the end of a user’s session by automatically resetting the apparatus or putting it into a stable state.

Example of experiment apparatus monitored by a camera