Introduction to Biomechatronics - Introduction to Biomechatronics - page 1

CHAPTER

1

Introduction to
Biomechatronics

Chapter Outline
1.1

Introduction ....................................................................... 1

1.2 Biomechatronic Systems .......................................................... 2

1.3 Physiological Systems ............................................................. 4

1.4 Summary of Contents ............................................................. 6

1.5 The Future of Biomechatronic Systems ............................................ 6

1.6 References ........................................................................ 7

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Mechatronic engineering is the synergistic combination of mechanical, electronic, com-
puter, and control systems along with a dash of systems engineering as illustrated in
Figure 1-1. This interdisciplinary combination brings together the requisite technology
and skills to design new and to improve existing electromechanical systems.
Biomechatronics is the application of mechatronic engineering to human biology,
and, as such, it forms an important subset of the overall biomedical engineering disci-
pline. As with mechatronics, which is often synonymous with robotics, biomechatronics
is often thought of as restricted to the development of prosthetic limbs. However, in reality,

FIGURE 1-1
Mechatronic
engineering as a
combination of
mechanical,
electronic,
computer, and
control systems.

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