Mechatronics and the internet of things. The concept the Internet of Things is a new relative concept in the technology. It is a concept that is based on the interconnection of devices that are related with electronics, sensors, network connectivity and software and allows exchange of data with other devices.
On the other hand, the concept of mechatronics was introduced nearly fifty years ago in order to express the increasing use of computers for the control of a range of essentially mechanical processes and systems. The mechatronics concept as an integrating theme or philosophy within product and system design did not really come until the early 1980s.
These concepts are not contradictory but complementary. Many of the smart components associated with the Internet of Things will be essentially mechatronic. The development of the Internet of Things is forcing mechatronics engineers, designers, practitioners and educators to research the ways in which mechatronic systems and components are perceived, designed and manufactured. This allows them to face up to new issues such as data security, machine ethics, the interface human-machine, etc.