Mekatronikka

Mekatroniikka, or mechatronics in English, is an interdisciplinary field that integrates mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, and control engineering to design and create intelligent electromechanical systems. The goal is to combine the strengths of these disciplines to produce devices that sense their environment, make decisions, and act with high performance and reliability.

Core elements include sensors and actuators, embedded controllers, real-time software, and feedback control. Design often involves modeling, simulation, and rapid prototyping to optimize performance, energy use, and manufacturability. Common tools include CAD for mechanical design, electronics hardware design, and software environments such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, and PLC programming.

Applications include robotics, automated manufacturing, automotive subsystems such as engine and braking control, consumer appliances, medical devices, aerospace, and packaging.

Education and practice: programs in engineering faculties and polytechnics offer degrees in mekatronikka or mechatronics. Graduates work in product development, system integration, automation, and research. The field emphasizes cross-disciplinary teamwork and systems thinking, with increasing attention to safety, cybersecurity, and reliability.

In Finnish contexts the field is commonly referred to as mekotronikka.