Mechatronics

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The combination of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to design and control advanced systems, such as robots.

Mechanics: This includes topics such as kinematics, dynamics, and statics which are used to describe the motion and forces involved in mechanical systems.
Electronics: Topics such as circuits, digital logic, and programming are useful for designing and controlling the electrical components of a mechatronic system.
Control systems: This covers topics such as feedback, PID controllers, and system identification, which are essential for designing and implementing control algorithms in mechatronic systems.
Sensors and actuators: Understanding how sensors and actuators work, and how to choose and use them effectively is essential in mechatronics.
Programming languages: Familiarity with programming languages such as C++, Python, and MATLAB is necessary for creating mechatronic control and simulation software.
Robotics: The study of robotics is central to mechatronics, as it involves the design and control of mechanical devices that interact with the environment.
Mechatronic system design: This includes topics such as mechanical design, prototyping, and system integration, which are essential for designing and building mechatronic systems.
Microcontrollers: Knowledge about microcontrollers and their associated software and hardware is necessary for creating embedded systems that control mechatronic systems.
Communication protocols: Understanding the different communication protocols used in mechatronics, such as USB, CAN, and Ethernet, is essential for creating networked and distributed mechatronic systems.
Artificial intelligence: Familiarity with machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques can be useful for creating mechatronic systems that can learn and adapt to their environment.
Industrial Robotics: These are robots that are designed and used for manufacturing and industrial operations, such as welding, painting, assembly, material handling, inspection, and testing.
Mobile Robotics: These are robots that are designed to move around and perform various tasks in different environments, such as exploration, surveillance, search and rescue, and transportation.
Medical Robotics: These are robots that are designed to assist in medical procedures, such as surgery, rehabilitation, diagnosis, and monitoring.
Agricultural Robotics: These are robots that are designed to perform agricultural tasks, such as planting, harvesting, and spraying.
Educational Robotics: These are robots that are designed for educational purposes, such as teaching students about robotics, programming, and electronics.
Entertainment Robotics: These are robots that are designed for entertainment purposes, such as toys, animatronics, and theme park rides.
Military Robotics: These are robots that are designed and used for military operations, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and weapons delivery.
Service Robotics: These are robots that are designed to help people with various tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, and assisting the elderly and disabled.
Space Robotics: These are robots that are designed for space exploration and operations, such as repairing and maintaining spacecraft and performing experiments.
Consumer Robotics: These are robots that are designed for personal use, such as vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, and personal assistants.
Underwater Robotics: These are robots that are designed to operate in underwater environments, such as exploration, monitoring, and maintenance.
Micro/Nano Robotics: These are robots that are designed to operate at the micro/nano scale, such as in medical procedures or manufacturing processes.
Humanoid Robotics: These are robots that are designed to look and move like humans, with the aim of replicating human-like interactions and functions.
Swarm Robotics: These are robots that are designed to work together in a coordinated manner, usually inspired by the behavior of social insects.
Bio-inspired Robotics: These are robots that are inspired by natural organisms and their behaviors and functions, such as snakes, fish, birds, and insects.
Autonomous Robotics: These are robots that are designed to operate independently without human intervention or control, using sensors, algorithms, and decision-making capabilities.
Hybrid Robotics: These are robots that combine different types of mechatronics technologies, such as drones that can transform into ground vehicles or robots that can switch between industrial and service tasks.
"Mechatronics engineering also called mechatronics, is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering that focuses on the integration of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering systems..."
"...and also includes a combination of robotics, electronics, computer science, telecommunications, systems, control, and product engineering."
"The intention of mechatronics is to produce a design solution that unifies each of these various subfields."
"The word mechatronics originated in Japanese-English and was created by Tetsuro Mori, an engineer of Yaskawa Electric Corporation."
"The word mechatronics was registered as a trademark by the company in Japan with the registration number of '46-32714' in 1971."
"...the word is considered an essential term for advanced automated industry."
"Many people treat mechatronics as a modern buzzword synonymous with automation, robotics, and electromechanical engineering."
"French standard NF E 01-010 gives the following definition: 'approach aiming at the synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics, control theory, and computer science within product design and manufacturing, in order to improve and/or optimize its functionality'."