Page 15 - Mechatronics for Safety, Security and Dependability in a New Era

Preface-I044963.fm Page xv Wednesday, August 9, 2006 5:03 PM
Pagexv
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
5:03 PM
Preface-I044963.fm
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PREFACE
PREFACE

“Mechatronics” is the technology or engineering field that originated in Japan and has
"Mechatronics" is the technology or engineering field that originated in Japan and has
been rapidly developed over the last two to three decades. The industrial robot, which is
been rapidly developed over the last two to three decades. The industrial robot, which is
a typical example of a “mechatronics product”, can be found in every field today.
a typical example of a "mechatronics product", can be found in every field today.
Mechatronics products include: intelligent engine and cruise control systems for
Mechatronics products include: intelligent engine and cruise control systems for
automobiles; intelligent household electric appliances such as computer controlled sewing
automobiles; intelligent household electric appliances such as computer controlled sewing
cameras;
computer
machines,
auto-focusing
washing
refrigerators,
VTR;
machines,
machines, washing machines, refrigerators, VTR; auto-focusing cameras; computer
disk
such
drives;
magnetic/optical
printers,
as
peripheral
information-
peripheral equipment such as printers, magnetic/optical disk drives; information-
equipment
processing equipment such as digital communication systems, portable telephones; NC
processing equipment such as digital communication systems, portable telephones; NC
machine tools such as the wire-cut electric discharge machine, and NC milling machine;
machine tools such as the wire-cut electric discharge machine, and NC milling machine;
building
including
control
system
air
automatic
a
doors;
semiconductor
conditioning,
a building control system including air conditioning, automatic doors; semiconductor
for
manufacturing facilities; an automatic ZIP code reading machine; a sorting machine for
manufacturing
facilities;
an automatic ZIP code reading machine; a sorting machine
agricultural or marine products.
agricultural or marine products.
defined
"mechatronics"
word
engineering
was initially
in
as integrated
mechanics
The
The word “mechatronics” was initially defined as integrated engineering in mechanics
and electronics. However, the meaning of this word gradually changed to be taken
and electronics. However, the meaning of this word gradually changed to be taken
widely as "intellectualization of machines and systems with information technology,"
widely as “intellectualization of machines and systems with information technology,”
these days. Namely, machines and systems, which control their motion autonomously
these days. Namely, machines and systems, which control their motion autonomously
and
common
a
information,
external
on
based
generate
and appropriately based on external information, generate a common technology of
appropriately
technology
of
mechatronics. According to this definition, the automation of an industrial factory line,
mechatronics. According to this definition, the automation of an industrial factory line,
such
as a machining
line, assembly line, or strip mill line, is based
on the
such as a machining line, assembly line, or strip mill line, is based on the mechatronics
mechatronics
systems (ITS)
technology. Control systems for train operation and intelligent transportation
technology. Control systems for train operation and intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
for automobiles are also realized by mechatronics technology. It is thus evident that
for automobiles are also realized by mechatronics technology. It is thus evident that
mechatronics has allowed us to achieve high productivity
and has enriched our daily
mechatronics has allowed us to achieve high productivity and has enriched our daily life
life
of machines
by improving the performance
and systems. We are now confronting
by improving the performance of machines and systems. We are now confronting many
many
our
sustaining
aging
the
related
is
Mechatronics
environment.
to
issues related to our aging society and sustaining the environment. Mechatronics is
and
society
issues
expected to play an important role in solving the issues brought by the new era.
expected to play an important role in solving the issues brought by the new era.
New mechatronics will be applied in the support of elderly and handicapped people to
New mechatronics will be applied in the support of elderly and handicapped people to
lead their lives safely and securely, both in their social activities as well as in their daily
lead their lives safely and securely, both in their social activities as well as in their daily
lives. Machines and systems should be designed and operated on the basis of analysis
lives. Machines and systems should be designed and operated on the basis of analysis
and evaluation of human psychology and behavior in addition to considering the coordination
and evaluation of human psychology and behavior in addition to considering the coordination
with human science. The
and machines. The new mechatronics will interface
of humans and machines. The new mechatronics will interface with human science. The
of humans
be
forms
designed
and
after
supporting
forms and the motions of supporting robots, for example, should be designed after
example,
robots,
for
of
the
should
motions
evaluating their psychological effects on users. A monitoring system, which secures
evaluating their psychological effects on users. A monitoring system, which secures
peaceful
peaceful and comfortable lives for citizens, is required to make more detailed observations,
lives for citizens, is required to make more detailed observations,
and comfortable
however, it should bring no mental and psychological
however, it should bring no mental and psychological stress to the people being monitored.
stress to the people being monitored.
for the new mechatronics, which covers
Safety recovery is also an important application
Safety recovery is also an important application for the new mechatronics, which covers