News

A tiny robot that could one day help doctors perform surgery was inspired by the incredible gripping ability of geckos and the efficient locomotion of inchworms.

The new robot, developed by researchers at Waterloo Engineering, utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light and magnetic force to move on any surface, even up walls and across ceilings.

It takes a great artist to create a great violin.

The result is even more inspiring if that artist is an intrepid scientist and first-rate engineer. George Yu (BASc ’86, systems design engineering) is all of these things and more.

Researchers at Waterloo Engineering have been recognized for the impact of their work on sensors to help save lives by preventing children from being left alone in vehicles.

Dr. George Shaker, an adjunct associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and students Hajar Abedi, Vishvam Mazumdar and Clara Magnier, who was visiting from France, authored a paper in 2001 that was among the most cited in the journal Engineering Reports.

Researchers at Waterloo Engineering are successfully using a robot to help keep children with learning disabilities focused on their work.

This was one of the key results in a new study that also found both the youngsters and their instructors valued the positive classroom contributions made by the robot. 

The QT robot was used to help teach children with learning disabilities.

We have achieved a great deal since the University first opened its doors in 1957. Now, with 2057 clearly in our sights, we must review our mission to stay on track in a rapidly changing and complex world.

This means we need to produce engineers with the critical thinking, social awareness, scientific rigour and innovative design skills to make meaningful differences – fast. This ultimately is the role of universities; to add value to society by helping to develop civic-minded people and engaged citizens who can solve problems.

Dystr, an AI-powered engineering platform, has launched a new product leveraging generative AI designed to automate tasks, run analysis with visualizations and perform complex calculations 10 times faster.

Co-founded by Nabeel Allana (BASc ’16, mechatronics engineering) in 2021, Dystr’s new product helps mechanical and electrical engineers write and run code in the cloud seamlessly without software experience.

The entrepreneurship ecosystem at Waterloo Engineering nurtures promising ideas into thriving enterprises. In our weekly Founder Fuel series, we look at new ventures and how they have benefited from that crucial early support.

Youssef Helwa (BASc ’15, nanotechnology engineering, MASc ’17, electrical and computer engineering) co-founded NERv (scheduled to be renamed FluidAI) in 2014 with Amr Abdelgawad (BASc ’16, nanotechnology engineering, MBET ’17). Their smart monitoring system detects bleeding, leaks and infections after abdominal surgery so doctors can treat complications sooner.

Waterloo Engineering professors Dr. Kerstin Dautenhahn and Dr. Alfred Yu are among the scheduled speakers at an upcoming conference exploring the use of technology for safe and accessible health care.

Hosted by the Centre for Bioengineerng and Biotechnology at the University of Waterloo, the two-day event at the Student Life Centre will feature health researchers, clinicians and front-line workers, policy-makers and technology officers from industry.

Therapeutic oncology company RefleXion Medical has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for a cutting-edge treatment for early and late-stage cancers. 

Founded by Dr. Samuel Mazin (BASc ’02, computer engineering) in 2009, RefleXion’s mission is to advance innovative treatment in cancer care through a biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) it calls SCINTIX™. 

Ribbit’s new autonomous flight technology creates a more robust supply chain by deploying small autonomous airplanes that fly cargo shipments to provide just-in-time delivery, and they’re prioritizing remote communities.

We asked Ribbit’s co-founder and COO, Jeremy C. H. Wang, how his technology advances air transportation and what is next for this exciting Velocity startup.