LUT University establishes a sustainable mechatronics professorship in Lahti
The professorship aims to promote the sustainable development of machines and devices and improve the competitiveness of businesses in the Lahti region. Future technologies in the field include smart industrial robots and virtual reality.
LUT University is establishing a new sustainable mechatronics professorship in Lahti with donated funds. The new professorship reinforces the university's expertise in intelligent system design from the perspective of sustainable development. The aim is to develop new, practical solutions for improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of machines and devices and to educate more professionals with skills in both technology and sustainable development.
- Sustainable mechatronics is a growing field, and the need to train new experts is considerable. The new professorship focuses on devices and technologies that help us all live our lives more sustainably, says Aki Mikkola, head of LUT's mechanical engineering department.
Related devices may include smart and energy-efficient industrial robots, electric non-road mobile machinery and vehicles, and systems where humans and robots interact. Also, close and remote control interfaces between employees and production lines can be further developed.
- We should also take greater advantage of virtual and augmented reality to assist machine operators and maintenance staff, adds Heikki Handroos, professor of mechanical engineering at LUT University.
Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd (LADEC) has also been involved in preparing this professorship and will continue to cooperate with LUT, so that the research can benefit as much as possible for the Lahti region and its companies.
- The research fields of the professorship are absolutely central to the growth of industrial companies in the region. The importance of the field can also be seen in the extent to which companies in the region have joined in financing the professorship. It's great once again to see how Lahti's own university LUT listens to companies and is ready for new openings. This professorship was also created very quickly with the cooperation of the university, companies and the region, states LADEC's CEO Tomi Tura.
The Lahti area expands its sustainability expertise
The sustainable mechatronics professorship bridges a gap between industry and academic research.
- Corporate collaboration plays an important role in the development of sustainable mechatronics applications. The professorship also helps to prepare companies for future challenges,” Mikkola goes on to say.
The new professorship responds to the need for sustainable development from the societal perspective. In addition to environmental responsibility, the field of the professorship includes the aspect of individual and social sustainability that takes into consideration how individuals and communities interact with machines, production systems and digital tools.
- Businesses aspire to increase their productivity by means such as automation and digitalization, but their interfaces should also be functional and easy to use. Systems that are sustainable for both society and individuals take functionality into account already at the design and manufacture stage, Handroos points out.
Handroos maintains that to stay competitive, businesses will need to make their products and production lines increasingly easy to use.
- Many companies already suffer from a workforce shortage or will at the very least do so in the future. The professorship will help enterprises in the Lahti area to develop the functionality of their products and production processes to make them more appealing in the eyes of potential employees, Handroos continues.
What does sustainable mechatronics mean?
- Mechatronics is the design and manufacture of advanced and intelligent systems or devices, machines and technologies.
- Sustainability consists of three dimensions: environmental, social and economic sustainability.
- Environmental sustainability means saving energy, reducing waste and utilizing renewable sources of energy.
- Social sustainability takes into consideration how individuals and communities interact with machines, production systems and digital tools.
- Economic sustainability is achieved when machines operate efficiently, profitably and competitively.
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The sustainable mechatronics professorship has received funding from the City of Lahti (500,000 euros), the PHP Säätiö foundation (375,000 euros), Makron, Halton Marine Oy, Kemppi Oy, Andritz Oy ,
Kempower Oyj, LSK Group Oy, UPM Plywood Oy, Oilon Group Oy and Dieffenbacher Panelboard Oy.
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More information:
Aki Mikkola
Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering | LUT University
+358 40 736 3095 | aki.mikkola@lut.fi
Heikki Handroos
Professor of Mechanical Engineering | LUT University
+358 40 510 7599 | heikki.handroos@lut.fi
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Also read:
LUT University establishes Finland's first electric transportation professorship in Lahti | LUT University
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In the main photo above, representatives of the professorship's financiers, LUT University and stakeholders at the meeting organized in Lahti on November 28, 2023. Photo: Tommi Mattila