Call MATLAB from Google Colab

Hello there, Is it possible to used MATLAB commands from Google Colab (Jupiter on cloud)?

For example, I would like to call Risk Management Toolbox functions like bin(vbt, Name, Value), tbfi(vbt, Name, Value) or tuff(vbt, Name, Value) in Google Colab.

I tried without success

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab()

Answer 1

[Yongjian Feng]

This is the same as calling matlab from python, right? Can you call it from python first?

[Alejandro Cermeño]

Yes, calling MATLAB from python is done with

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab ()

however, this method implies that MATLAB is installed on the PC and Google Colab is a cloud environment.

Is it possible to call MATLAB from Google Colaboratory?

[Yoav Kahana]

Hi,

I also want to use a matlab function in my colab's notebook, and have the same problem, as you mentioned.

Did you find any solution for that?

I would be very glad to know!

Answer 2

[Yongjian Feng]

Seems like you need to bridge it.

Your local PC and Google Colab shall be able to communicate using python, I imagine. Using HTTP server for example. Then using python in your local PC to call matlab. Then python in your local PC to communicate with Google Colab.

Answer 3

[Mike Croucher]

Yes, you can but its a bit experimental at the moment. Using MATLAB on Google Colab » The MATLAB Blog - MATLAB & Simulink

Answer 4

[Yann Debray]

I recorded a demo that might help you discover the capabilities of running MATLAB on Google Colab

This is newly possible (since Jun 24th 2025) as Google announced the Colab Terminal Is Now Free For All Users