Consumer products: prime examples of mechatronics at work

It may seem that new breakthroughs in technology are happening more frequently than ever. This is in large part due to the advent of mechatronics. Mechatronics brings together various engineering fields with robotics and cybersecurity to create innovative solutions to everyday problems. Below are just a handful of examples of where you can find example of mechatronics in the products you use or see in everyday life.

When you think of “smart” devices, mechatronics is at their core. Microcontrollers, microprocessors, sensors, and actuators all came out of the field, resulting in products like camera-integrated doorbells and video security systems that you can access through your smart phone.

Smart refrigerators let you see what’s inside without opening the door, create grocery lists that connect to your phone, and look up recipes. Some smart refrigerators even provide hot and cold water and open with a gentle nudge, leaving your hands free to hold your groceries.

Robotic vacuum cleaners make up about 20% of the of the worldwide vacuum market and continue to grow. The technology continues to be adapted. “Manufacturers have recently developed a state-of-the-art robotic vacuum cleaner integrated with cameras and intercom systems, thereby serving dual purpose of cleaning and security,” states a market report by Credence Research. 

Mechatronics shines in medical use, making surgeries less invasive and creating products that improve quality of life. Pacemakers use sensors and electrodes to monitor a person’s heart rate and adjust as needed to maintain a healthy heart rate. Prosthetics have seen massive improvements in function. Instead of an immovable appendage, those in need of a prosthetic limb can be fitted with one that “detects a person’s intention to move a certain way” through the use of biosensors, reports Robotics Business Review.

A driver’s bank account and the environment both benefit from mechatronics. Cars used to run on mechanical fuel injection. While functional, mechanical fuel injectors were inefficient and a large contributor to air pollution. The development of electronic fuel injectors, which are present in all modern cars, improve gas mileage while reducing emissions. 

While mechatronics offers practical and necessary technology solutions, it’s impact can also be fun. Disney Research and ETH Zurich created Paraswift, a robot that can climb walls and then jump back down to ground via a built-in parachute. Drones are also a prime example of mechatronics at work. Used in the military, by scientists, and now for fun around the neighborhood, drones combine electrical, computer, mechanical, and control engineering in order to function. 

Capitol Tech’s Mechatronics Engineer and Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Technology degree programs focus on providing students with the skills needed to create products that benefit consumers. The degree programs have a comprehensive focus on the fundamentals of mechatronics, through lecture and lab work, combined with imparting the key skills of teamwork, planning, leadership, and communication. 

Capitol Tech students studying mechatronics are at the forefront of developing future technologies that will seamlessly benefit our lives as we learn, work, and play.

Want to learn more about Mechatronics? Capitol offers bachelor’s programs in both Mechatronics Engineering and Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Technology. Contact admissions@captechu.edu to learn more.