MICRO – The Remote Lab for Embedded Systems
1st Place – GOLC Online Laboratory Award 2025 (Remotely Controlled Experiments)
The MICRO Remote Lab for Embedded Systems–a student-built initiative at the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM) in Germany–has been awarded first place in the 2025 GOLC Online Laboratory Award in the category Remotely Controlled Experiments. The award was presented during the 22nd International Conference on Smart Technologies & Education (STE2025) in Santiago, Chile, hosted by the International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE).
MICRO allows students to upload and test embedded systems code on real hardware located in the university’s lab—accessed entirely online. From basic “Hello World” LED exercises to sophisticated sensor interactions using SPI and I2C, the platform supports a wide range of learning levels and objectives. Students can observe the live behavior of their programs via video feed and interact with the system using UART interfaces, emulated buttons, and digital signal tools.
Initially used in modules like Microprocessor Technology and Microcomputer Technology—where students program AVR microcontrollers at the register level—MICRO has since expanded to support FPGA-based experiments in Digital Technology and higher-level development using the Arduino framework in Computer Engineering 2. Student use has grown tenfold, from 20 to over 200 learners per semester. Today, MICRO is integrated across the entire Engineering Computer Science curriculum, supporting hands-on learning at all stages of the program.
“The complete MICRO project (Software, Hardware, DevOps, and Mechanics) is developed independently by our university students, and there is no external funding,” the team emphasized in their submission. “MICRO is a remote lab developed by students for students.”
The entire MICRO platform–software, hardware, mechanics, and infrastructure–was conceived and built entirely by students at THM and continues to be developed and maintained by them. Designed as a complement to in-person lab work, MICRO enables flexible, hands-on learning beyond campus boundaries, offering real-world experience in embedded systems development from anywhere.
The project is the result of close collaboration by an engaged and growing team of students, including Justin Sauer, Leon Kraft, Tim-Niclas Ruppert, Jurij Schum, Lars Merke, Vivien Reuter, André Ehret, Kevin Klauser, Maximilian Djubajlo, Alexander Gockel, Tymoteusz Mucha, Luis Philipp Handschuh, and Onur Melik Sen. Their contributions span every aspect of the system—from mechanical design and DevOps integration to interface development and hardware configuration. This collaborative model not only enriches the project technically but also fosters deep learning, ownership, and professional growth among the participating students.
Jakob Czekansky, the lead submitter and key coordinator of MICRO, is a full-time lecturer and research associate at THM’s Faculty 06 – Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Computer Science. His work focuses on embedded systems, remote lab infrastructure, and the facilitation of student-driven development. As a mentor and technical advisor, he plays a central role in guiding the interdisciplinary team that continues to expand MICRO’s functionality and educational impact.
Call to Action
To explore MICRO and for a more in-depth description of MICRO’s integration into academic teaching, visit:
🔗 Visit the MICRO homepage
📚 Recent publication on MICRO
📧 Contact: jakob.czekansky@mni.thm.de
