The Smart Mechatronics Engineering research group is dedicated to advancing the field of mechatronics and manufacturing systems through cutting-edge research and development. Our focus is on the digital twin of mechatronic and manufacturing systems, which involves creating virtual representations of physical systems for the purpose of simulation, analysis, and control.

In addition to digital twin technology, we also study energy usage in the manufacturing industry and its impact on the environment. Through our research, we aim to identify and implement ways to reduce energy consumption in manufacturing processes while maintaining efficiency and productivity.

Another area of focus for our group is life cycle assessment and circular economy. We examine the environmental impact of products and manufacturing processes throughout their entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. Our goal is to promote sustainable manufacturing practices and circular economy models that minimize waste and conserve resources.

Our research group is composed of experts in various fields, including mechatronics, manufacturing, and sustainable engineering. We collaborate with leading industry partners and academic institutions to conduct research and develop new technologies that can be applied in real-world scenarios.

The Smart Mechatronics Engineering research group is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of mechatronics and manufacturing, and we are constantly seeking new ways to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and promote sustainability.

Projects

Explore the cutting-edge work of a renowned research group with our project updates! Discover the details of our ongoing and completed projects, and get a glimpse into the innovative solutions and groundbreaking discoveries we are making. Whether it's developing new technologies, investigating complex issues, or exploring new frontiers, our projects are making a significant impact in various fields. Stay informed and up-to-date on our work - read about our projects now.

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Latest Publications

Stay updated on the latest findings and breakthroughs from our research group! Browse through our most recent publications and get insights into the cutting-edge research we're conducting. From technological advancements to in-depth studies on important global issues, our group is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

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News

Apr 21, 2025	Our joint article “Model-Based Systems Engineering for Digital Twin System Development Applied to an Aircraft Seat Test Bench” by Pasquariello A., Bouhali I., Leherbauer D., Abdeljabbar N., Mhenni F., Patalano S., Hehenberger P. and Rega A. appeared in IEEE Access (Volume 13). Read the open-access paper via its DOI.
Apr 9, 2025	Leherbauer D., Wagner E., Kneidinger C. and Hehenberger P. presented “Model-based Electricity Consumption Quantification of Polymer Extruders for Mechanical Recycling Applications” at the 32nd CIRP Conference on Life Cycle Engineering (LCE 2025) in Manchester, UK, advancing our research on sustainable manufacturing.
Apr 2, 2025	Schmid D., Merschak S., Lack S. and Hehenberger P. shared “Towards a framework for automatic disassembly supporting circular economy” at the 35th CIRP Design Conference 2025 in Patras, Greece, outlining our latest concepts for circular product lifecycles.
Jan 29, 2025	🚀 Exciting News! Our latest research “Demand-side management in less energy-intensive industries: A systematic mapping study” authored by Dominik and Peter has just been published in the highly renowned journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (16.3 IF, 97% percentile) 🌍⚡
Jun 27, 2024	Peter gave a keynote speech about “Sustainability from a Mechatronics Viewpoint: Theoretical Background and selected Applications” at Séminaires Quartz, ISEA Supmeca Paris
Jun 20, 2024	We organized a workshop on “Industry 5.0: New challenges and opportunities” at the “3. Tag der agilen Transformation“
Jun 11, 2024	Simon and Peter presented our work regarding “Life Cycle Assessment” at Fachtagung Kreislaufwirtschaft
Mar 23, 2024	Newspaper article about our project ToMoDSM
Feb 28, 2024	Our new article from Dominik and Peter has been published in the journal Sustainability. Have a look here
Feb 14, 2024	Peter is member of the International Program Committee of the 22nd International Conference on Research and Education in Mechatronics (REM 2024) in Jordan. We organized the conference 2019 in Wels.