Future Careers in Embedded Systems, Mechatronics, and Control

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Future Careers in Embedded Systems,
Mechatronics, and Control

• Mark W. Spong
• Coordinated Science Laboratory University of
  Illinois
• Urbana, IL 61801

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• Embedded Systems
• A combination of hardware and software which
  together form a component of a larger machine.
  An embedded system is designed to run on its own
  without human intervention, and may be required
  to respond to events in real time. Embedded
  systems are used in industrial machines,
  automobiles, medical equipment, cameras,
  household appliances, airplanes, vending
  machines, cellular phone, PDAs, toys and many
  other devices.
• According to the National Research Council,
  Information technology (IT) is on the verge of
  another revolution. The use of Embedded
  Networked Systems throughout society could well
  dwarf previous milestones in the information
  revolution. These systems of embedded computers
  have the potential to change radically the way
  people interact with their environment by linking
  together a range of devices and sensors that will
  allow information to be collected, shared, and
  processed in unprecedented ways.

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• Mechatronics
• Definition Mechatronics is the synergistic
  combination of precision mechanical engineering,
  electronic controls and systems engineering in
  the design of products and processes
• Mechatronics is Putting Intelligence onto
  Physical Systems.
• Embedded sensors/actuators/processors are
  integral parts of mechatronic systems

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• Lets look at some examples of mechatronic
  systems
• Automotive Systems
• Drive by Wire
• Camless Engines
• Robotics
• Humanoids
• Telemedicine/Remote Surgery
• An Air Hockey Playing Robot

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Automotive SystemsTechnology in todays vehicle

• In-vehicle entertainment
• Generation II ABS
• Heads-up display
• Night Vision
• Back-up collision sensor
• Navigation
• Tire Pressure Monitor

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Drive by wire
• XM Satellite Radio
• Telematics (OnStar)
• Software drivetrain
• Software body control
• Rain-sensing Wipers

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• Five major technology transitions in the auto
  industry in the next five to ten years
• Gasoline to hybrid to fuel cell
• Mechanical connection to Drive-by-wire
• Proprietary electrical/hardware/software system
  to standardized architectures
• Adoption and implementation of IT standards in
  the technology of the car (XML, Web Services,
  etc.)
• On-demand to Always-on vehicle connectivity
  to the Internet

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Drive-by-Wire replaces mechanical connections
push rods, rack pinion, steering columns,
overhead cams, cables by mechatronic
connections sensors, actuators, embedded
microprocessors, control software
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Drive-by-Wire Throttle Control
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Second Example Camless Engines
Cams replaced by actuators and embedded
controls What is the advantage?
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Robotics
The Robot is, of course, the ultimate Mechatronic
System
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• Applications of Robotics
• Telemedicine/Telesurgery
• Unmanned vehicles
• Humanoids
• Manufacturing automation

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• The CSL Air Hockey Playing Robot
• Combines Intelligence Control, Real-Time Vision
  Sensing and Vision Processing, and Machine
  Learning

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Examples are EverywhereSmart Skis
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Smart Systems of All Kinds

• What smart systems will you invent?
• ?

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• Summary
• The combination of mechanics, electronics,
  computer hardware and software, and control
  systems will revolutionize technology in the
  coming decades
• This revolution will create exciting career
  opportunities in
• Automotive and Aerospace Industries
• Medicine and Biomedical Industries
• Robotics and Automated Manufacturing
• Computer Hardware and Software Industries
• Telecommunication Industries
• We need broadly educated engineers trained in
  multidisiplinary systems engineering to take
  advantage of the exciting career opportunities

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Good Luck !Thank you for your attention !