The advances in communication networks and web technologies, in conjunction with the improved connectivity of test and measurement devices make it possible to implement e-learning applications that encompass the whole learning process. In the field of electrical engineering, automation or mechatronics, it means not only lectures, tutorials, demos and simulations, but also practical labwork for training with real-world devices that are controlled remotely. To make e-labs attractive, they should be easily implemented and accessed on the web by a client. This keypoint raises technical issues that are recalled in this paper. Nonetheless pedagogical issues are equally important. The benefit of a remote lab must be evaluated and compared to simulation labs or hands-on. Here, to foster student motivation, a game-like scenario embedded in a learning management system is proposed.