Mechatronics; of course!
You come across the term mechatronics a lot, especially in environments where products are developed and made. Yet the term does not appear to be very clear to “the uninitiated.” If you talk about electronics, lenses, software, plastic housings or metal frames, everyone knows what is meant. But mechatronics? So an acquaintance recently asked me what mechatronics means, to which I gave him the following definition:
The term mechatronics is an amalgamation of mechanics and electronics. Mechatronics is the fusion of different technologies into a machine or device that performs one or more predetermined functions.
He looked at me sideways with a look full of disgust and asked, “can you explain that a little more clearly?”
“Of course,” I said, “I will explain it using a natural example that everyone knows, namely the human being. Namely, the human body is a fine example of natural mechatronics. There is computer technology (computing power, memory and Input-Output interfacing) in the form of the brain. This computer receives and processes signals from an array of sensors for such things as pressure, vibration, blood pressure, water balance, blood sugar levels, cerebrospinal fluid pressure and body temperature. In addition, the brain receives and processes images and sounds of the environment through the eyes and ears or cameras and microphones (Multimedia) and through the organ of smell.
To transport all the signals, an ingenious wiring is available, the nervous system. Through the nerves, the brain controls motors in the form of muscles. Control circuits are active to, for example, keep the body upright (compare this to the operation of a Segway) or provide coordination to catch a ball, for example.
The human body has a built-in energy supply in the form of a biological “digester.” The circulatory system transports energy to all parts of the body. The skeleton, together with the skin, forms the housing of the human being. Where the skeleton is the “frame” of the body from which the parts are suspended and the skin is the covering on the outside.
I’ve written before about developments in robotics, especially robotics that mimics nature. See my blog on Sophia: ww.bseni.nl/sophia-steeds-more-mens/ This is a very good example of mechatronics mimicking nature. It indicates what we can expect in the future. The mechatronic human is on the way.
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