Labs and centres

Advanced Micro/Nano Devices Lab

World-class research in the field of micro/nanotechnology. Currently, one of our main research objectives is to develop large high-density CMUT arrays for large-area real-time 3D imaging. 

Broadband Communications Research Lab (BBCR)

The BBCR lab works to pursue first-rate research in telecommunications, train highly qualified personnel, and transfer information and communication technology with industry. 

Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB)

A catalyst for advancing bioengineering and biotechnology research and innovation through industry collaborations and partnerships.  

Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS)

Providing researchers in Canada and around the world with an inspiring exploration and development environment for innovation in all aspects of electromagnetic communication and sensing science and engineering.

Centre for Integrated RF Engineering (CIRFE)

The focus of the CIRFE's research activities is on emerging RF technologies. The uniqueness of the CIRFE lies in its ability to integrate various RF technologies and in its wide range of capabilities, which include research, development, modelling, design, fabrication, packaging and testing. CIRFE offers state-of-the-art RF test and characterization laboratory, and a clean room.

Centre for Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (CPAMI)

CPAMI conducts multidisciplinary research and development activities in areas related to intelligent systems and data analysis, including human-machine interaction, pattern recognition and image analysis, and co-operative intelligent systems.

Coding and Signal Transmission (CST) Laboratory

Our research involves physical and Media Access Control (MAC) layers of tele-communications systems, information theory and signal processing, with primary focus on wireless and optical transmission. 

Communications Security Lab (ComSec)

The Communications Security Lab is the leading research group for security and privacy technologies in pervasive computing environments. ComSec designs efficient and cost-effective cryptographic algorithms and protocols for protecting all kinds of security applications, corresponding infrastructure and organizational aspects.

Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG)

The Emerging Radio Systems Group is working to realize the next generation of hardware for ultra-broadband, hyper-connectivity. The group works to make 5G a feasible and sustainable reality by reducing the physical size, cost, and energy inefficiency of wireless infrastructure while simultaneously improving their performance.  

Giga-to-Nanoelectronics (G2N) Centre

G2N is a unique facility in Canada, offering a wide range of capabilities for processing electronic materials and devices. The facility consists of groups within the University of Waterloo and external partners conducting interdisciplinary research in fields from nano-materials to large-area electronics. In addition to facilitating academic research programs, G2N provides the capability to develop and prototype novel and emerging technologies for commercial applications.

Innovative Transportation Systems Solutions Lab

This lab is focused on research in intelligent transportation systems, transportation network modelling, public transit, road safety and winter road maintenance.

Intelligent Technologies for Wellness and Independent Living (ITWIL) Lab

Bringing together state-of-the-art computer science, engineering, rehabilitation science, and human factors methodologies to create internationally renowned intelligent assistive technologies for supporting aging and promoting independence and quality of life for older adults. 

ISS4E: Information Systems and Science for Energy

Our mission is to use information systems and science to increase the efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of energy systems.

Multimedia Communications Lab

The Multimedia Communications Lab is a world-class facility providing computing and testing facilities to support research in the field of multimedia communications.

Power and Energy Systems Group

One of the largest research groups in power engineering in North America, with a very reputed faculty base and available research support and a broad expertise covering practically all aspects in power engineering research.

Real-time Embedded Software Group

The Real-time Embedded Software Group concentrates on research on real-time embedded software systems at the intersection of software technology, embedded networking and applied formal methods. 

RoboHub

This state-of-the-art robotics research and test facility enables innovative research on multi-robot teams with its unique fleet of humanoid, aerial, ground, and magnetically-levitated (maglev) robots. 

Vision and Image Processing Lab

The Vision and Image Processing Lab is a research group dedicated to understanding visual processes and finding solutions for the outstanding problems in image and video processing and intelligent systems.

Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR)

The Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research focuses on collaborative research in automotive and transportation systems by facilitating interaction between those within the automotive industry and University of Waterloo faculty researchers. 

Waterloo Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute

Waterloo has 88 professors whose research is related to cryptography, security and privacy enhancing technologies, including experts in security and privacy policy and human-computer interaction.

Waterloo Institute for Complexity & Innovation (WICI)

The Waterloo Institute for Complexity & Innovation is a research hub that promotes the rigorous transdisciplinary study of innovation within — and the resilient and beneficial transformation of — the complex adaptive systems essential to human well-being.

Waterloo Multimedia Communications Research Group

Our activities range from lossless compression to lossy compression, from text compression and image/audio coding to video coding, from single resolution coding to multi-resolution (scalable) coding, from 3O (one source, one encoder, and one decoder) coding to distributed coding and interactive encoding/decoding, from watermarking to joint watermarking and compression, from joint source-channel coding to wireless video multicast, and from theory to algorithms and to practice with real impact.