This department, cooperating with lately established Distinguished Laboratories, plans to deeply fetch into two major topics, namely the precision mechatronic device design and the intelligent assistive medical devices.

(1) Midterm Planning (2009-2011)

a. Precision mechatronics: Sensors with certain sensitivities while in a high operating frequency improve their precisions and identification rates. SAW and FBAR devices are chosen as a main stream of sensors utilizing in the medical device sensory components since their volume is small and low-cost in manufacturing.

b. Intelligent Assistive Medical Devices: The power source and mechanical energy actuator for bipad walking assistant robotic system and test facilities are of great importance in the intelligent medical device R&D processes. Related courses including precision transmission technology, creative mechanical design, patent analysis and design arounding, hydropneumatics and human walking dynamics are arranged for students to make through studies in this area.

(2) Longterm Planning (2011-2015)

a. Precision mechatronics.
- Prospectiveness. We look for a cross disciplinary integrative collaboration among difference research fields including Mechanics, Electronics and Structronics.
- Academics. Bulk and surface wave sensor technologies are going to be developed in the applications of mechanics, electronics, photonics, biomedics, chemics and meterials science.
- Necessaries. Miniaturized temperature sensor technology is currently utilized in various areas, including biomedics, metal-forming, plastics and aerospace industries. We focus on the pyroelectric materials applications on the human temperature monitoring and searching for the future opportunities on intelligent home care system technology.

b. Intelligent Assistive Medical Devices:
- Prospectiveness. The design group pays close attention to the artificial muscle or other small while high power actuator technology for walking assistant robots, and achieved some prelimary results.
- Academics. We also keep our eyes on the design innovation and patenting. Students focusing on these topics will obtain electro-mechanical integrated capabilities. An enhanced test rig for biped walking robot will also be constructed to acquire the performances of the assistive robot.
- Necessaries. The world is during aging rapidly as the medical technology improves. The increasing amount of greybeards and chronic illness brings out an serious burden to the society. Equipping these people with basic locomotive and sensory abilities is a positive attitude and provides them with a better quality of life.