What is Mechatronics and Robotics

                     Mechatronics

    The word mechatronics was invented by the Japanese engineer Ko Kikuchi in 1969. It is a combination of the terms 'mechanical' ("mecha" for mechanisms, i.e., machines that 'move') and 'electronics'. The word reflects the basic nature of this field, to integrate electrical and mechanical systems in a single device. Mechatronics is said to be the junction where concepts from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science are merged to design, build and operate products.
    
   The leading scholarly publication on mechatronics is IEEE/ASME

     Definitions of Mechatronics 

Here are several definitions of mechatronics:
(1) The incorporation of electronics into mechanisms.
(2) The integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control.
(3) The use of a synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics, and computer technology to produce enhanced products or systems.
(4) The application of complex decision making to the operation of physical systems.
(5) The addition of intelligence to a mechanical design or replacing mechanical designs with an intelligent electronic solution.
(6) The synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and software engineering.

[Note: some of these definitions use derivatives of Synergy, which is observed when "two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents. Often the prediction is the sum of the effects each influence is able to create independently."]

        Mechatronics in academia 

   
    In spite of earlier projections that estimated large growth in the number of engineering departments labeled formally Mechatronics Engineering, the actual number of such programs continues to be small. Most of the academic activity in mechatronics occurs in departments of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.

     Mechanical and Automation Engineering

Programs labeled Mechanical and Automation Engineering are more popular in Chinese speaking regions than elsewhere (see for example the departments at the Shanghai Jiaotong University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and I-Shou University).

    Like Mechatronics Engineering, the combination Mechanical and Automation Engineering is an example of an inter-disciplinary field that integrates mechanical systems with electronics, control, and computer technologies. In Mechanical and Automation Engineering, there is, in addition to mechanical system design and analysis, a focus on process control, networking, and computer interface and software. Some examples of courses in Mechanical and Automation Engineering are mechanics and materials, thermal fluids, dynamics and control, electronics, robotics, design and manufacturing.

      Mechatronics and Robotics

     A robot is a good example of a mechatronic system. Most robots integrate software, electronics, and mechanical designs in a synergistic manner (meaning that the separate parts act together in such a way that the combined effect is stronger than the sum of the separate effects of each one of the components). Other examples of mechatronics are the digital thermostat and the anti-lock brake system. Both were originally designed as mechanical systems and have been improved later by their integration with electronic controls and digital computing elements.

    Robotics is considered a subset of mechatronics, since almost all robots are mechatronic but not all mechatronic systems are robots. Many classes on mechatronics in university curricula include the design and construction of robots or robotic elements as examples. Some mechatronics programs and mechatronics courses are essentially all about robotics.

Sources:

[1] Robert Bishop: The Mechatronics Handbook.

[2] Newton C. Braga: Robotics, Mechatronics, and Artificial Intelligence: Experimental Circuit Blocks for Designers.

[3] Microchip.com website: Designing for Mechatronics, 2006, accessed January 25, 2007.

[4] Wikipedia.org: Mechatronics, accessed January 25, 2007. Caution: Wikipedia entries can be changed arbitrarily by any user at any time.

[5] http://tryengineering.org/ask-expert/what-difference-between-robotics-and-mechatronics-also-how-does-mechanical-and-automation