The Mechatronics, Informatics and Control Group (MICG) is concerned with the application of information and computer technology in mechanical engineering. This includes the integrated design of devices which incorporate real-time control technology, and the utilisation of advanced information systems to aid the design process.

• Mechatronics is the engineering discipline of integrating technologies from mechanical engineering, electronics, and computing to create more intelligent machines.
• Informatics is the science of processing data for storage and retrieval. The successful design of complex systems is highly dependent on how design information is represented, managed and retrieved.
• Control engineering concerns the design of machine controllers, based on an understanding of dynamic characteristics, so that the machine will behave in a desirable way.

The MICG works to promote and develop this highly important technical area which underpins modern mechanical engineering in many sectors, including aerospace, automotive, energy, manufacturing, rail and maritime. We also aim to equip engineering professionals with the highest standards of technical knowledge on the subject.

The MICG incorporates the Mechatronics Forum, which has been actively promoting mechatronics internationally for the past 20 years. It also supports the UK Automatic Control Council (UKACC), which is the national representative for the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC).

In order to provide a first class service which is relevant to the requirements of our engineering sector and your individual professional development, we strongly encourage suggestions for activities and events. Please email us at micg@imeche.org.

Professor Andrew Plummer
MICG Chairman

Please note some 2010 event highlights:

UKACC and Mechatronics Forum Prestige Lecture
'I'm a control engineer; ask me what I do' by Professor Ian Postlethwaite, Northumbria University
11 March 2010, London

12th Mechatronics Forum Biennial International Conference
28-30 June 2010, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

UKACC International Conference on CONTROL 2010
7-9 September 2010, Coventry University