Biomechatronics is the application of mechatronics principles and techniques to develop systems to measure and manipulate biological materials and phenomena. In contrast to traditional industrial mechatronic systems, biomechatronic systems often emphasize functional requirements such as mechanical compliancy, portability, disposability, minimal power consumption, cost-effectiveness, and usability. This class is intended to broaden the expertise of students in the mechatronics program to enable them to develop new, innovative biomechatronics systems. Instruction topics emphasize mechanical and electrical design concepts relevant to the development of practical systems and products.
Each student in this class is equipped with a Gumstick PCB – a custom TI MSP430 microprocessor development kit with various instructional capabilities. The first half of the course is instructor-driven and focuses on providing students with various capabilities to develop practical systems. The second half of the course is student-driven and focuses on providing students the experience to conceive and then develop a practical device or product. Ambition and creativity are encouraged!
Below are some examples of projects from previous years:
Musical Orb
The musical orb is a mechatronics system of 3 LEDs rotated on two different axes. A microprocessor controls the rotational speed of the motors, as well as the duty cycle and period of the LEDs. This generates unique and interesting patterns which are synchronized with and is a visualization of the music being played by the Visual Basic program. A short description video is followed by a demonstration.
Student: I. Tang
Inverted Pendulum Robot
A robot capable of balancing an inverted pendulum while translating according to wireless commands sent from a user.
Students: J. Wu, L.T. Lam, N. Zulafsky
Robotic Arm with Face Tracking
A 5 Degree of Freedom robotic arm with a webcamera end effector. The arm can be positioned manually or set to automatically follow faces around the field of view.
Student: B. Drew
Home Power Meter
Digital power meters from BC Hydro have an infrared LED that blinks according to the power draw of the unit. Using a microprocessor and a wireless unit, the device reads the hydro meter and autonomously records and uploads power consumption data to Google Power Meter.
Students: A. Nobles, K. Lowe
MECH 423: Biomechatronics – Course Sign Up