Mechatronics & Robotics is a multidisciplinary field that combines several engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, to design and develop advanced systems that integrate sensors, actuators, and controllers to achieve desired functionalities. The field also involves the use of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies to enhance the capabilities of these systems.
The MSc program “Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Production” covers several core course units that are directly related to the field of Mechatronics & Robotics. For instance, the Autonomous Mobile Robots unit covers the design and control of mobile robots that can move autonomously and perform tasks in various environments. Similarly, the Collaborative Robotic Systems unit focuses on the design and operation of robotic systems that can work collaboratively with humans in various settings, such as manufacturing and healthcare.
The Cognitive and Social Robotics unit focuses on the development of robots that can interact with humans in a more natural and intelligent way, using techniques from natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning. The Virtual Reality in Production Systems unit covers the use of virtual reality techniques to design, simulate, and test mechatronic and robotic systems before their physical implementation.
In addition to these core units, the program also covers several other topics that are essential for the development and implementation of mechatronic and robotic systems. For instance, the Machine Learning and Data Analytics in Industrial Production unit covers the use of machine learning algorithms and data analytics techniques to optimize the performance and efficiency of production systems. The Digitalization of Supply Chains unit covers the use of digital technologies to streamline supply chain operations, which is essential for the efficient operation of mechatronic and robotic systems.
Furthermore, the program includes units on 3D Printing Technologies and 3D Scanning Systems, which are increasingly important for the design and fabrication of mechatronic and robotic components. The Design of Digital Twins unit covers the use of digital models to simulate and optimize the performance of mechatronic and robotic systems.
Here is a more detailed elaboration of each of the course units in the MSc program and how they relate to the field of Mechatronics & Robotics:
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics in Industrial Production: This course unit covers the use of machine learning algorithms and data analytics techniques to optimize the performance and efficiency of production systems. In the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, data analytics and machine learning are used to improve the performance of robots and mechatronic systems by analyzing large datasets and optimizing their operations.
- Autonomous Mobile Robots: This course unit focuses on the design and control of mobile robots that can move autonomously and perform tasks in various environments. Autonomous mobile robots are increasingly used in industries such as manufacturing and logistics, and they are an essential component of the field of Mechatronics & Robotics.
- Design of Digital Twins: This course unit covers the use of digital models to simulate and optimize the performance of mechatronic and robotic systems. Digital twins are used to simulate the behavior of physical systems, which helps to optimize their performance and reduce the need for physical testing.
- Collaborative Robotic Systems: This course unit focuses on the design and operation of robotic systems that can work collaboratively with humans in various settings, such as manufacturing and healthcare. Collaborative robotic systems are an essential component of the field of Mechatronics & Robotics and are increasingly used in industry.
- Lean and Agile Production: This course unit covers the principles of lean and agile production, which are used to optimize the production process and reduce waste. These principles are important in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as they help to optimize the production process for mechatronic and robotic systems.
- Cognitive and Social Robotics: This course unit focuses on the development of robots that can interact with humans in a more natural and intelligent way, using techniques from natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning. These techniques are essential for the development of advanced mechatronic and robotic systems.
- 3D Printing Technologies: This course unit covers the use of 3D printing technologies for the fabrication of mechatronic and robotic components. 3D printing is an increasingly popular technology in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as it allows for the rapid prototyping and fabrication of complex parts.
- Virtual Reality in Production Systems: This course unit covers the use of virtual reality techniques to design, simulate, and test mechatronic and robotic systems before their physical implementation. Virtual reality is an essential tool in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as it allows for the testing and optimization of mechatronic and robotic systems before they are physically built.
- 3D Scanning Systems: This course unit covers the use of 3D scanning technologies for the reverse engineering and inspection of mechatronic and robotic components. 3D scanning is an important tool in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as it allows for the accurate measurement and inspection of complex parts.
- Digitalization of Supply Chains: This course unit covers the use of digital technologies to streamline supply chain operations, which is essential for the efficient operation of mechatronic and robotic systems. The integration of digital technologies in the supply chain is important in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as it helps to optimize the production and distribution of mechatronic and robotic systems.
- Knowledge Bases in Design: This course unit covers the use of knowledge-based systems for the design and optimization of mechatronic and robotic systems. Knowledge-based systems are an important tool in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as they allow for the optimization of mechatronic and robotic systems by incorporating expert knowledge.
- Generative Design and Topological Optimization: This course unit covers the use of generative design and topological optimization techniques to optimize the design of mechatronic and robotic systems. Generative design uses algorithms to generate a large number of design options, while topological optimization uses mathematical techniques to optimize the shape and layout of parts to reduce weight and improve performance. These techniques are important in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as they allow for the efficient design and optimization of mechatronic and robotic systems.
- Security of Industrial Networks: This course unit covers the principles of cybersecurity in the context of industrial networks and mechatronic and robotic systems. The security of industrial networks is important in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, as it ensures the safety and reliability of these systems.
- Green and Digital Transformation: This course unit covers the integration of green and digital technologies in industrial production systems. The course explores how these technologies can be combined to create sustainable and efficient production systems. In the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, the integration of green and digital technologies is becoming increasingly important as companies seek to reduce their environmental impact and improve their production efficiency.
- Augmented Reality in Production Systems: This course unit covers the use of augmented reality (AR) in industrial production systems. AR is a technology that overlays digital information onto the physical world, allowing users to interact with digital content in real time. In the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, AR can be used for tasks such as remote maintenance, training, and assembly.
- Integrated Project on AI in Industrial Production: This four-semester project covers the use of artificial intelligence techniques in industrial production. AI techniques, such as machine learning, are increasingly used in the field of Mechatronics & Robotics to optimize the performance of mechatronic and robotic systems.
The MSc Program “Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Production” can be viewed as a step towards creating a new area of competence in the wider field of Mechatronics & Robotics. While Mechatronics & Robotics is already a multidisciplinary field that combines several engineering disciplines, this program takes a more focused approach by integrating artificial intelligence techniques and their applications in industrial production.
The program covers a wide range of topics related to the design, operation, and optimization of mechatronic and robotic systems using artificial intelligence techniques. The core course units, such as Autonomous Mobile Robots, Collaborative Robotic Systems, and Cognitive and Social Robotics, cover the use of artificial intelligence in designing and controlling robotic and mechatronic systems. Additionally, other course units such as Machine Learning and Data Analytics in Industrial Production, Generative Design and Topological Optimization, and Security of Industrial Networks focus on applying artificial intelligence techniques to optimize the performance of mechatronic and robotic systems and ensure their safety and security.
By integrating artificial intelligence techniques into the field of Mechatronics & Robotics, the program creates a new area of competence that addresses the growing demand for intelligent, efficient, and sustainable production systems. The program equips graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to design and develop advanced systems that integrate sensors, actuators, and controllers to achieve desired functionalities while optimizing their performance and efficiency using artificial intelligence techniques.