Mechatronics is the combination of Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Control Engineering, and systems design engineering in order to design and manufacture useful products. Originally, Mechatronics just included the combination between mechanics and electronics; hence the word is only a portmanteau of mechanics and electronics. However, as technical systems have become more and more complex the word has been "updated" during recent years to include more technical areas. Now a days Mechatronics is also popularly called as 'Industrial Automation'.

Mechatronics is defined as "an approach aiming at the synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics, control theory, and computer science within product design and manufacturing, in order to improve and/or optimize its functionality".

Mechatronics takes full advantage of the ability of micro-electronics to reduce the need for mechanical components, while raising functional and performance capabilities to the highest levels. Future manufacturing system will be compelled to adopt more and more of MECHATRONICS systems, cutting across traditional boundaries that exist in industrial engineering. The SYNERGY derives from this fusion will lower the cost of production improve quality and reduce lead time.