Will mechatronics drive Viriginia's economy?

Written 24.09.2004 10:47 by Boris Doesborg Print Send article

Planetary rover

Mechatronics sounds like a new video game but may be a major economic driver for Virginia (U.S.) in the future. Mechatronics is the synergy of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering , and software engineering. Mechatronics companies are involved in the production of planetary-rovers (like the one used for the exploration of Mars), automotive subsystems such as anti-block system and every day equipment such as autofocus cameras and washing machines.

The Virigina mechatronics clusters was identified in a cluster analysis conducted by the Fifth Planning District Regional Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic competitiveness of Virginia. The cluster analysis can be found on their website www.rvarc.org/alliance.The alliance objective's is to guide economic development groups, government officials and other policymakers planning the economic transition of the region.

The analysis of regional clusters relied on jobs data, Standard Industrial Classification codes, input from a panel of clusters experts, software-guided economic modeling and interviews with Virginia's businesspeople.

The study identified eight basic or emerging industry groups important to the region's economic base.

According to the analysis, mechatronics is so highly concentrated that it has the potential to become a major economic driver in the years to come, despite the fact that it only employs 2800 on a work force of some 230,000.

The remaining groups, identified as emerging clusters, were opto-electronics; motor vehicle related manufacturing; research, development and technical design; hospitals, labs and specialized medical services; pharmaceuticals; securities and insurance; and primary metals.

Sources:
Roanoke.com
Fifth Planning District Regional Alliance
2004 Cluster study