Mechatronics is a field that can be considered relatively recent when compared to the various subcategories of engineering (even though it's been around for over 40 years). It is basically is a design process and new form of engineering that includes a combination of mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering. So, the first thing that comes to anyone's head when thinking of mechatronics is a robot. Robots are the pinnacle of mechatronics engineering and to a certain extent correctly represent what mechatronics is all about. It's a lot of electronics and computer engineering implemented to control a mec
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Mechatronics is a field that can be considered relatively recent when compared to the various subcategories of engineering (even though it's been around for over 40 years). It is basically is a design process and new form of engineering that includes a combination of mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering. So, the first thing that comes to anyone's head when thinking of mechatronics is a robot. Robots are the pinnacle of mechatronics engineering and to a certain extent correctly represent what mechatronics is all about. It's a lot of electronics and computer engineering implemented to control a mechanical system. It involves design and manufacturing the actual system, coding micro controllers or PLCs to achieve a certain kind of output and a lot of modeling, dynamics and control of electromechanical systems. It's a huge field. Here's a bunch of applications I picked up from Wikipedia:
Machine Vision, Automation and Robotics, Servo-Mechanics, Sensing and Control Systems, Automotive Engineering, Automotive Equipment in the Design of Subsystems such as Anti-lock Braking Systems, Computer-machine controls, such as computer-driven machines like IE, CNC, Milling Machines, Expert Systems, Industrial Goods, Consumer Products, Mechatronics Systems, Medical Mechatronics, Medical Imaging Systems, Structural Dynamic Systems Transportation and Vehicular Systems. Mechatronics as the new language of the automobile computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems, Computer-aided Design, Engineering and Manufacturing Systems, Packaging and Microcontrollers/PLCs.
Coming to the point as to whether you should do it, well that depends on how committed you are to this field. Since it's a specialisation in a way, you should be kinda certain that this is what you want. If you're uncertain, I'd suggest you take up mechanical or electrical separately and probably do a Masters in it later if you're sure. Mechatronics is one of the most sought after and most interesting fields there is in the world with a wide range of application. It's literally going to everywhere within the next few years. So, it's definitely something an engineer would want to be a part of.
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