Mechatronics is still a branch in doubt. Parents are rarely ready to send their wards to a branch which does not have a lot of ‘scope’ in our country today. Everyone vies the Computer or the Electronics path. Not many want to tread the road not taken. What if I told you that Mechatronics offers you the best of all worlds? Mechatronics Engineering follows an integrated curriculum to provide a broad-based education in the basic principles of electrical, electronics, mechanical, control, instrumentation and computer engineering. As a student, you have the chance to get to learn a bit of every major discipline. This way you are groomed to take up and pursue any path in the future. The course aims to produce students who can design and develop smart machines and use their multidisciplinary skills to meet the growing demands of the industry.
Although a relatively newer department having been established in 2012, Mechatronics has a team of motivated and well-qualified faculty members with diversified specializations in Mechanical, Automobile, Instrumentation, Control Systems, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science and others. Infrastructure facilities include a well-equipped Centre of Excellence by Rexroth Bosch, complete with a PLC Lab, Drives & Controls Lab, Hydraulics & Pneumatics Lab, Sensorics Lab, Mechatronics Lab, Robotics Lab with an ABB 6 Axis Robot, and a Departmental Library.
Today, Mechatronics Engineering has gained much recognition and importance in the industrial world and has become an engineering discipline on high demand. It is a multidisciplinary field of engineering with far-reaching applications on various sectors of the society. It is centered on mechanics, electronics, computing, control engineering, molecular engineering, and optical engineering which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems. It aids design, development, maintenance, and management of high-technology engineering systems for automation of industrial operations. Mechatronics can be viewed as modern mechanical engineering design in the sense that the design of the mechanical system must be performed together with that of the electrical and electronic system design integrated with a computerized control mechanism with all aspects that are critical to their operation.
The Department offers a host of minor specializations to chose from to be better competent in whatever you chose to pursue. Formerly, there were 3 offered – Automation, Automobile, and Business Management, but after presentations from students on how they would like the curriculum to be in the Curriculum Conclave, the Department has agreed to incorporate more Computer and Electronics oriented subjects like VLSI and Machine Learning to better prepare us for the Industry. Under the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, 2 Industry Oriented Clubs and 1 National Level Student Project Team along with many other smaller projects are housed. International Society for Automation – Student Chapter Manipal is a multidisciplinary international club that focuses on Automation and Artificial Intelligence. Institution of Engineers (IE) – Mechatronics – Manipal Chapter is a place you can build a strong connection with the industry. RoboManipal is a student project team that is under the department. Additionally, many students from the Department are a part of many Student Clubs and Projects in varying disciplines in the college. Farming Bot is a recent innovation developed under the Department which has won National laurels. Fraktal Works is a company incubated in Manipal started by students from the Department.
