Mehatronic Prototypes for Engineering Education: Bridging Theory and Practice
Prof. dr. sc. Željko Šitum, full professor, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture; Fran Hruškar, Lovro Meštrić, Mateo Šego, Tomislav Drašković and Eros Stemberger are students; all University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
Ventil 31 (2025) 6 / Review articles / Technical article – 1.04
Abstract:
This article presents five innovative mechatronic prototypes developed as educational tools to enhance engineering education by bridging theoretical concepts with practical implementation. The systems are organized into two thematic sections. The first section, Mechatronic systems simulating real-world applications, includes three prototypes that replicate real-life engineering challenges: a robotic fire-fighting unit – Firebot, integrated with a water tanker for active fire suppression; a cargo transport model demonstrating load stability on uneven terrain; and a gyro-stabilized mini-vessel designed to reduce lateral rolling during marine navigation. The second section, Applied mechatronics for conceptual exploration, presents two systems aimed at illustrating specific principles through interactive demonstration: the oncooscillator, which generates oscillating magnetic fields using a rotating magnet for potential biomedical applications, and an automated chessboard capable of autonomous gameplay, piece manipulation, and board state recognition. Together, these prototypes serve as effective platforms for experiential learning, fostering a deeper understanding of mechatronic principles among engineering students.
Keywords:
mechatronics, laboratory prototypes, hands-on learning, system integration, educational robotics
Copyright (c) 2025 Željko Šitum, Fran Hruškar, Lovro Meštrić, Mateo Šego, Tomislav Drašković, Eros Stemberger
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