Mechatronics and the Motor Car

Abstract

“Revolution” is an often overused word. However, it is no exaggeration to say that a mechatronic revolution took place in the world’s car industry during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s. It has been estimated that during this period, for the first time, the cost of embedded automotive electronic and computer systems exceeded that of the metal in a typical executive car. It was also during this period that long established, multi-million pound (UK) industries, such as carburettor manufacturers, ceased to exist and other major companies were forced to reform and regroup to meet the mechatronic challenge.