What branch of engineering is this?

[tamtam402]

I'd like to work into integrating sensors/programs to robots and machines to "connect" the parts together and make them work.

Ex: I don't want to design the hydraulics or mechanical parts, I'd like to be the guy that connects ****, integrate the controls AND make everything work together.

What field is that? EE? CE?

 

[fss]

Probably EE or Robotics (which is an EE/ME/CS hybrid).

 

[stevenb]

I'd like to work into integrating sensors/programs to robots and machines to "connect" the parts together and make them work.

Ex: I don't want to design the hydraulics or mechanical parts, I'd like to be the guy that connects ****, integrate the controls AND make everything work together.

What field is that? EE? CE?

EE, may be the best, but CE is also good. CE is best for just microcontroller and programming aspects along with digital design. However, EE is a little better for integration and making everything working together. A good EE should know the basics of mechanics sufficient to do robotics. ME can also be good because many ME's specializing in robotics know electronics also.

Basically, once you mention integration, controls and making everything work, you are really bordering on system engineering. System engineers need to be reasonably good in all areas and need to know how to specify the system level design and ensure compatibility of subsystem interfaces. System engineers can be any type of engineer, but ME and EE provide good backgrounds to be able to learn just about any new system related to robotics.

You correctly mentioned the word "controls" which can be a very challenging aspect of robotics. Whatever your actual discipline, a good understanding of control system engineering is important.

 

[RobertT]

One word: Mechatronics

I am a final year student myself and certainly control principle is at the heart of Mechatronics Eng.

Apart from control system, sensors and programming are covered in Mechatronics.

 

[kgbgru]

I'd like to be the guy that connects ****, integrate the controls AND make everything work together.

I understand what you mean. I am a computer science major and what I want to do the most is make avionics and computers that control unmanned aircraft.
Most control of devices is provided by electronic means. Whether it be through software or hardware it will all be done with electronics. I am my opinion computer science is the best for learning control systems.

 

[stevenb]

I am my opinion computer science is the best for learning control systems.

I'm surprised by this statement, but I have to admit that I'm not all that familiar with what computer science focuses on nowadays. Traditionally, control systems theory and practice is taught in engineering programs.

Can you please elaborate on this? Is this a new trend? Or, an old one that I'm just uneducated about?

 

[kgbgru]

At my school computer science is an engineering program. And we are the only major that incorperates physics and math to describe and control systems. EE and CE have some of the physics and almost none of the math.

 

[xxChrisxx]

Mechatronics.

EDIT: Damn, Robert beat me to it. :(

 

[stevenb]

At my school computer science is an engineering program. And we are the only major that incorperates physics and math to describe and control systems. EE and CE have some of the physics and almost none of the math.

Interesting, I've never thought of CS as an engineering discipline, but yeah why shouldn't it be. The math side makes sense, but I never thought of physics as being an important part of CS. Thank you for educating me. I can see advantages of approaching system control theory with a background in CS.

I'm suprised that your school's EE and CE don't cover the math of control systems. All EE/CE programs I'm familiar with have extensive math and control system courses, and they are available to those who choose to specialize in feedback & control or systems theory in general.

 

[RobertT]

At my school computer science is an engineering program. And we are the only major that incorporates physics and math to describe and control systems. EE and CE have some of the physics and almost none of the math.

Interesting. Does the CS program include the study of sensors?

If it does, I can't see any difference at all between CS and Mechatronics. In fact, I'm surprised that there could hardly be any difference at all.

 

[Jeffbrown]

Hi

Mechatronics, a branch of engineering which is a system-level approach to designing electromechanical systems that merges mechanical, electrical, control and embedded software design.

http://www.euroconstructiononline.net"