Mechatronic systems—Innovative products with embedded control

Many technical processes and products in the area of mechanical and electrical engineering are showing an increasing integration of mechanics with digital electronics and information processing. This integration is between the components (hardware) and the information-driven functions (software), resulting in integrated systems called mechatronic systems. Their development involves finding an optimal balance between the basic mechanical structure, sensor and actuator implementation, automatic information processing and overall control. Simultaneous design of mechanics and electronics, hardware and software and embedded control functions resulting in an integrated component or system are all of major importance. This technical progress has a very large influence on a multitude of products in the area of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering and changes the design, for example, of conventional electromechanical components, machines, vehicles and precision mechanical devices with increasing intensity. This contribution summarizes ongoing developments for mechatronic systems, shows design approaches and examples of mechatronic products and considers various embedded control functions and system's integrity. One field of ongoing developments, automotive mechatronics, where especially large influences can be seen, is described in more detail by discussing mechatronic suspensions, mechatronic brakes, active steering and roll stabilization systems.