Mechatronics - those who come across the term for the first time are oblivious to what it is all about but are actually already using the products of this technology in their everyday lives. Mechatronics has made hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies possible. The technology has also developed complex fuel injection systems, sensing devices, and performance communication. Innovations in vehicle infotainment such as navigation systems and audio-visual entertainment are products of mechatronics. And as consumers’ demand for better performance, personalization and application, new innovations on all aspect of the automobile will emerge – thanks to mechatronics.

What is Mechatronics? It is the meeting point of four fields of technology: mechanics, electronics, computers and controls. Mechatronics synergizes the latest techniques in these four fields in an interactive way to improve functionality, flexibility and control. It is not a new technology; in fact it has been around for several years. The term was coined by engineers at Yaskawa Electric Co of Japan 35 years ago to refer to computer controlled electric motor to make mechanical devices smarter. As the years pass, it has slowly made progress especially in vehicle design and applied technologies.

Mechatronics is changing the automotive industry. Mechatronics applications have introduced vast improvements in the actual cars and its components, as well as the equipments needed to build, diagnose and repair them. The application of this technology have made auto mechanisms ‘smarter’ because of enhanced efficiency, control, speed, and system interaction. The many innovations found in vehicles today such as navigation systems, telematics, sensing devices, audio-visual entertainment systems are the outcome of advancements in computer miniaturization, design, makeup and memory.

Because of these new developments in automotive applications and technologies, the aftermarket industry, especially the suppliers of parts, service, entertainment and communication systems, will experience a dramatic change. To remain competitive in the industry, those in the aftermarket must be able to catch up with the latest technology and have a balanced background on mechatronics. As cars become more mechatronic in nature, the aftermarket needs to keep pace.