Mechatronics, the term invented in Japan in the 1970s, has evolved over the past 25 years and has led to a particular breed of intelligent products. What is mechatronics? It is a natural step in the evolutionary process of modern technical design. For some engineers, mechatronics is not new, and for others it is a philosophical approach to design that guides their activities. Certainly, mechatronics is an evolutionary, non-revolutionary process. It is clear that there is no global definition of mechatronics, but in reality it is not necessary. It is understood that mechatronics concerns the synergistic integration of mechanical, electrical and computer systems.
It can be understood how much mechatronics applies to various disciplines in characterizing the constitutive components of mechatronics, including: (i) physical systems modeling, (ii) sensors and actuators, (iii) signals and systems, (iv) computers and logical systems and (v) acquisition of software and data.
Engineers and scientists from all walks of life and from all fields of study can contribute to mechatronics. As the boundaries between engineering and science become less well defined, more and more students will seek a multidisciplinary education with a strong design component. Academia should move towards a program that includes coverage of mechatronic systems. In the future, the growth of mechatronic systems will be fueled by growth in the constituent areas. Advances in traditional disciplines fuel the growth of mechatronic systems by providing “enabling technologies”.
For example, the invention of the microprocessor had a profound effect on the redesign of mechanical systems and the design of new mechatronic systems. We expect to see continued advances in microprocessors and cost-effective microcontrollers, sensor and actuator development made possible by advances in MEMS applications, adaptive control methodologies, and real-time programming methods. network and wireless technologies, mature CAE technologies for advanced system modeling, virtual prototyping and testing. Continued rapid development in these areas will only accelerate the pace of smart product development. The Internet is a technology that, combined with wireless technology, can also give rise to new mechatronics products.
While automotive developments provide striking examples of the development of mechatronics, there are many examples of intelligent systems in all fields, including smart home appliances such as dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, waves and devices compatible with a wireless network. In the field of “human-friendly machines”, advances in robot-assisted surgery, sensors and implantable actuators can be expected. Other areas that will benefit from advances in mechatronics include robotics, manufacturing, space technology and transportation. The future of mechatronics is wide open.