Mechatronics
Being an interdisciplinary engineering science and cross-sectional technology, the mechatronics industry is combining mechanical elements from the mechanical and electronic engineering as well as from computer sciences. In particular, classical mechanical systems are extended with sensors and microcomputers in order to optimize the system functions, and ultimately to allow for intelligence in technical systems. Mechatronic applications can be found across all industrial sectors.
Mechatronics in Baden-Wuerttemberg
The interdisciplinary character of the mechatronics industry is also reflected by the corporate landscape in Baden-Wuerttemberg, including companies from a variety of economic sectors. These are for instance, plant and system manufacturers, producers of appliances and components, manufacturers of sensors and electronics, or suppliers of relevant IT tools and software. Besides a number of large global companies, most of Baden-Wuerttemberg's enterprises operating in this sector fall under the category of small and medium-sized businesses.
Mechatronics has also become established as academic discipline and research field at numerous universities and research institutions of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Science and economy are notably brought together through activities organized and coordinated by the state network Mechatronics Baden-Wuerttemberg.
In the course of the development of ever smarter systems and machines, today, mechatronic components are a major driver for innovation in sectors such as the mechanical and electronic engineering, vehicle construction or the medical technology. In the context of the Internet of things and services, the mechatronics industry makes considerable contributions for allowing the virtual and the real world to grow closer together, being of economic and scientific use in various application fields.
In the light of the above, mechatronics presents a technology field with a high growth potential, particularly in Baden-Wuerttemberg.