What Is Mechatronics?
Mechatronics is a multi-disciplinary field of engineering that integrates mechanics, electronics, computer science, and control theory. It is at the cutting-edge of creating smarter products, devices and processes. Examples of mechatronic systems include an aircraft flight control and navigation system, automobile air bag safety system and antilock brake systems, automated manufacturing equipment such as robots and numerically controlled (NC) machine tools, smart kitchen and home appliances such as bread machines and clothes washing machines, and even toys.
Mechatronics is the field of study concerned with the design, selection, analysis, and control of systems that combine mechanical elements with electronic components, including computers and/or microcontrollers. Mechatronics topics involve elements from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, and the subject matter is directly related to advancements in computer technology. The term ‘mechatronics’ was coined by Yasakawa Electric Company to refer to the use of electronics in mechanical control (i.e., ‘mecha’ from mechanical engineering and ‘tronics’ from electrical or electronic engineering). Auslander, et al. have defined mechatronics as the application of complex decision-making to the operation of physical systems. This definition removes the specific technology to be used to perform the operation from the definition.