Struggling to bridge the gap between software engineers and mechanical designers in robotics projects?

In my experience, the project opening meeting should be about determining mechanical and software boundaries. The mechanical designers must thoroughly collect information about all the electromechanical devices they will use. The software engineer must determine the mechanical range across the electronic limits of electromechanical devices. At each subsequent stage meeting, the mechanical designer should simulate the current progress and the software engineer should demonstrate the potential of the software adapted to the current design. They should be ready for the next stage by jointly determining the problems that may or have occurred.

Stop thinking about siloed mechanical and software (and electrical) functions. Whether or not university programs are successful, Mechatronics is a discipline, and one of the most important ones in robotics. Engineers who want to be successful need to make connections and learn from colleagues with complementary skills, and their leaders and managers need to adopt leadership behaviors that clarify to their organization the value and positive impact of cross discipline design and development.

Mechatronics engineering is a field that combines interdisciplinary knowledge to design and program intelligent, adaptive mechanical systems. While it emerged as a new trend about 15 years ago, its appeal has gradually diminished, leading many private universities to close or consider closing their mechatronics departments.

In my opinion, this step is extremely important in order to create an equal understanding of the project to be undertaken. The first step is to define the output target and clear the project boundaries at the beginning (Include the type of leadership and communication that will be utilized) and then create the mind maps together. In this mind map, ideas from two or more sides will be shed, so that all project actors understand the idea and its implementation or countermeasure.

The only way to remove the struggles is to have a Mechatronics Engineer who has capacity to understands both sides and can play the role of a bridge when assembling ideas.

Yo tengo experiencia en la parte de dise?o mecánico y en la parte de desarrollo de software para robotica. Lo más importante es la comunicación, y lo que más interfiere no es "el idioma" son los egos de cada persona. Yo siempre he intentado explicar las necesidades de cada parte y exponer pros y contras de cada decisión. Hay que tener una visión objetiva de la decisiones y si es necesario recular en un planteamiento, se recula, lo primordial es la eficiencia de la solución

Nos meus anos de experiência trabalhando com pessoas de diferentes setores, forma??es e culturas, a maneira mais fácil de explicar algo para alguém quando ela n?o entende do assunto, é utilizando analogias. Dessa mesma forma, na robótica o projetista e o engenheiro além de adquirir alguma sobre as áreas que est?o trabalhando com você para entender o contexto, é necessário que em reuni?es as pessoas trabalhem com analogias e exemplos práticos a fim de facilitar o entendimento e a integra??o das partes do projeto.

Collaborative tools can also be useful for things like language barriers, in order to achieve the best results of the functional robots, you can use jira, trello and event github

Integrated Design Tools: Use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software that integrates with software development tools, enabling both teams to visualize and work on the design simultaneously. Prototyping Sessions: As mentioned in the next topic below organize collaborative prototyping sessions where both teams can work together on building and testing early-stage prototypes. This fosters better understanding and quicker iteration on designs.

Workflow integration should not be a problem if proper software is used. Almost every major CAD program works cloud based and this alone makes integration is a very easy task. Additionally, you can still schedule meetings with a preannounced and dedicated agenda to keep things in line.

Bridging the chasm between software engineers and mechanical designers in robotics projects necessitates a strategic approach centered around workflow integration. By establishing shared platforms for collaboration, implementing standardized data exchange protocols, and fostering a culture of open communication, organizations can effectively harmonize the distinct skill sets of these disciplines. This synergistic approach is instrumental in streamlining the development process.

It is also good to develop clear and comprehensive documentation that outlines the requirements, specifications, and interfaces between software and hardware components. This helps ensure that both teams have a common understanding of the project.

Uma coisa que aprendemos após realizar muitos projetos e falhar várias vezes é que o protótipo é uma das partes fundamentais de um projeto, pois com ele conseguimos definir se aquela ideia que queremos é implementável ou se é algo inviável, ou até identificar melhorias que podem ser realizadas na implementa??o. Na robótica, o uso de simuladores pode ser usado para definirmos diversos fatores como design adequado e estimar algumas variáveis que ser?o utilizadas na cria??o do software.

Hoy en día existen multitud de simuladores que pueden permitir esa interacción. Obviamente en función de la aplicación a veces si que es necesario algun tipo de prototipo para detectar fallos de concepto en una etapa tempran adel proyecto

Ces deux métiers sont indissociables pour la réussite d'un projet ou d'un nouveau produit. Je suis en phase avec vous pour des jalons, des objectifs communs mais également des design review communes pour revoir les contraintes mécaniques et softwares à chaque phase du développement. Il faut absolument le tampon des deux types de métier pour valider chaque jalon. Les deux métiers doivent coexister, codevelopper, cohabiter et surtout coinnover pour l'évolution du projet ou du produit. Il faut une vraie équipe pour réussir le projet.

Does any software team keep their promises on due dates? Due dates of mechanical engineering teams are always more predictable and successful. A joint milestone is a nigtmare, causing frustrations and further scheduling problems.

Bridging the gap between software engineers and mechanical designers in robotics projects requires continuous learning and effective communication. Encourage cross-training to familiarize each team with the other's field, use collaborative tools, and hold regular workshops to share knowledge. Form interdisciplinary teams to enhance mutual understanding, establish clear communication channels, and develop comprehensive documentation and standards. Mentorship and peer learning can further facilitate knowledge transfer, fostering a culture of collaboration and leading to more cohesive project outcomes.

Bridging the gap isn't just about improving communication—it's about fostering empathy, creating shared experiences, and cultivating a collaborative mindset that transcends disciplinary boundaries. By doing so, teams can move beyond mere coexistence to true collaboration, where the integration of software and mechanical design leads to more innovative and successful robotics projects.

Instead of having separate software and mechanical design teams, create integrated project teams. This structure facilitates closer collaboration and ensures that both perspectives are considered throughout the project lifecycle. Co-located teams can work more effectively, but if that’s not possible, use virtual collaboration tools to bridge the distance.

Engineers are “Engineers” … engineering as a discipline demand rigorous problem-solving and technical acumen … the divide between software and mechanical engineers is a fascinating divide created out of mediocrity and it’s need/billing - demand fulfilment

In robotics, collaboration between software engineers and mechanical designers is essential yet challenging. Software engineers focus on scalability and algorithms, while mechanical designers prioritize functionality and durability. ?? The key to bridging this gap lies in: ??? Fostering open communication ?? Forming interdisciplinary teams ? Adopting agile methodologies ?? Encouraging a culture open to recognizing and analyzing mistakes so we can correct them and learn from them. By integrating these approaches, we can drive innovation and create more effective robotic solutions. How have you navigated this collaboration in your projects? ???? #Robotics #Innovation #Collaboration #Engineering #Agile #ContinuousLearning