Mechatronics is not all factory machines and giant robots. We already enjoy the benefits of mechatronics in surprising, everyday ways, Here are some examples:
Home Appliances
Any smart home appliance (refrigerators that order milk, programmable microwaves and dishwashers, garage door openers, and more!) falls under the scope of mechatronics. The most famous home appliance, however, is the Roomba.
Roombas can detect when they bump into walls and objects objects with sensors imbedded in their bodies, and avoid falling down stairs using infrared sensors. Roombas can even tell when they need to empty themselves, and where they can do it. Combining mechatronics and an AI brain, the Roomba makes for an excellent example of good mechatronics in the home.
Anti-lock Brakes
Since 2012, Anti-Lock Brakes and the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) has been required in all new motor vehicles. Anti-Lock Brakes are made to prevent your tires from locking up or skidding if you have to brake hard.
NASA's Curiosity Rover
Equipped with a computer brain, wheels, and 'arms', NASA's Curiosity Rover is a testament to the power of mechatronics. Sent to Mars in 2011, and arriving in 2012, the rover's objective is to study the red planet's ability to host life in the past. While NASA has sent many Rover Units to Mars, the Curiosity Rover is one of the few still operational at this time.
Since the humans at NASA cannot go to Mars themselves, Curiosity has been equipped with the tools and knowledge to make repairs to itself as it travels across the red planet for data. It transmits this data wirelessly back to Earth at regular intervals.
Boston Dynamics 'Spot'
What a good boy! Boston Dynamics has worked for years to make Spot, an AI-driven robotic helper in the shape of man's best friend (mostly). Spot can help keep an eye on industrial sites, carry items for delivery, and partake in journeys into dangerous areas that are not safe for humans.