Mechatronics, the synergistic blend of mechanics, electronics, and computer science, has evolved over the past twenty-five years, leading to a novel stage of engineering design. By integrating the best design practices with the most advanced technologies, mechatronics aims at realizing highquality products, guaranteeing, at the same time, a substantial reduction of time and costs of manufacturing. Mechatronic systems are manifold, and range from machine components, motion generators, and power producing machines to more complex devices, such as robotic systems and transportation vehicles
