Event recap: Innovative and interactive TMU research on display at DiscoveryX 2025

Toronto Metropolitan University’s excellence in research and innovation was showcased at the Ontario Centre of Innovation’s DiscoveryX conference earlier this month
As you stepped through the main entrance of this year’s DiscoveryX conference, Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU’s) vibrant display of groundbreaking research immediately drew you in. From safe-flying drones and immersive VR simulations to futuristic vertical garden beds and AI-powered smart buildings, each research booth was a glimpse into the bold, inventive future TMU researchers are building.
Hosted by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) on April 16 and 17 at Toronto’s Enercare Centre, the DiscoveryX conference brought together a dynamic mix of researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders. Under the theme of Urban Innovation, TMU researchers and students from four state-of-the-art labs showcased bold, forward-thinking projects for shaping the urban landscapes of tomorrow. Representatives from TMU’s Diversity Institute, Zone Learning, Lab2Market and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst initiatives were also on hand.
Participating researchers
Growing for the future: Efficient farming elevated
TMU professors Habiba Bougherara, from the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, and Lesley Campbell, from the Faculty of Science, were there to showcase their revolutionary vertical farming model. Their bee-free pollination system for indoor farming uses innovative, adjustable nozzles to control the air and humidity in the growing environment. On a larger scale, this invention could be a game-changing solution for feeding growing urban populations while reducing environmental impact.
“This system offers real sustainability benefits – it uses significantly less land and water, and energy-efficient LED lighting keeps power consumption low,” said professor Bougherara. “We can also recover and reuse a portion of the energy within the system itself.”
The team also demonstrated their biosensor tool that translates a plant’s needs into real-time data. Automated systems then translate that data to adjust conditions like light, water and temperature. “Our biosensor taps into the electrical signals plants naturally emit to communicate,” explained professor Campbell. “By combining this with machine-learning algorithms, farmers could respond instantly to signs of stress or disease – potentially increasing yields and using resources more efficiently.”
This research is supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Homegrown Innovation Challenge.
Building smart and safe autonomous aerial vehicles using AI-powered software and tailored hardware
Reza Faieghi, director of TMU’s Autonomous Vehicles Laboratory (AVL) and a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, showcased research and development in the field of autonomous vehicles with a primary focus on drones. He and his students are exploring real-time perception and control algorithms to enable drones to fly and move safely. They develop new software solutions and new vehicle concepts that allow drones to avoid accidents while achieving their goals, such as making deliveries or land surveying and inspection.
“We’re here to demonstrate the real-world impact of our lab’s work and explore opportunities to collaborate with others driving innovation,” said PhD student Surrayya Mobeen.
Creating the cyber-physical future for urban mobility using intelligent technologies and mathematics
Civil engineering master's student Thomas Zhao represented TMU’s LiTrans lab, led by Bilal Farooq, the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services and a professor of civil engineering. “I’m here today to showcase my research that uses virtual reality to determine what types of neighbourhoods, housing and transportation people prefer,” said Zhao.
Zhao offered a virtual reality experience to passersby, who could become immersed in and interact with simulated neighbourhoods by donning a headset and holding a hand controller. Factors like weather, safety, ethnic components and transportation options dynamically modified the city and suburban scenarios. Zhao’s master’s project uses the LiTtrans cutting-edge technology to simulate realistic settlement scenarios and gather valuable information on migrant integration, such as their preferences for specific types of neighbourhoods, housing and modes of transportation.
Thomas Zhao’s research is funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) through TMU’s Bridging Divides program.
Cognitive digital twins for decarbonization: Supporting Canada’s net-zero target using AI
Professor Jenn McArthur, from TMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, was on hand to discuss her Cognitive Digital Twins for Decarbonization project. This next-generation solution uses AI and data science to reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact of the built environment. Professor McArthur leads the Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub (SCITHub), a groundbreaking smart building research facility and the world’s first 100 percent digitally enabled building.
“We’re here today to increase awareness about the importance of reducing carbon emissions using AI to make our environment cleaner and healthier,” said PhD student Dana Al Jadaa. “We also want to connect with others in this domain to exchange knowledge.”
Learn more about the Autonomous Vehicles Laboratory (AVL).
Learn more about the Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans). (external link)
Learn more about the Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub (SCITHub).
Related link:
Berry brilliant: New growing system from TMU profs to revolutionize food production (July 2024)
Discover the future of urban innovation through TMU researchers’ leading-edge projects showcased at the 2025 DiscoveryX conference in Toronto.