Mechatronics
Engineered devices combining electronics, mechanics and control software.
Up to 2 students
7–18 years old
Step into the future of intelligent machines! In this category, participants design and build innovative systems that seamlessly combine hardware, electronics, and programming. Your project could be a robotic device, a smart home solution, an IoT system, or a unique gadget that demonstrates both creativity and real-world usefulness.
Emphasis should be placed on the integration of hardware components, effective control mechanisms, and software logic working together in harmony. Projects should not only function reliably but also highlight the practical value and originality of the idea.
This category is open exclusively to secondary school and high school students who are passionate about engineering, robotics, and hardware innovation.
Inspiration
Sample Project Ideas
What kinds of projects can be done? Use these as a starting point.
Autonomous Robotic Arm
An autonomous robotic arm with computer vision for sorting objects.
Smart Home Controller
A smart home controller (lighting, HVAC, security) with mobile/web dashboard.
IoT Environmental Station
An IoT environmental station that measures air quality, noise, temperature, and sends data to the cloud.
Wearable Health Monitor
A wearable health monitor (heart rate, SpO₂, step count) with alert system.
Self-Balancing Robot
A self-balancing robot (inverted pendulum) using IMU sensors and Kalman filtering.
Agricultural Automation System
An agricultural automation system (soil moisture sensing, smart irrigation, weather-aware scheduling).
Compact CNC Plotter
A compact CNC plotter or 3D-printed mini-CNC with custom G-code interpreter.
Drone / Rover Navigation
A drone or rover with waypoint navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Smart Energy Meter
A smart energy meter that tracks appliance consumption and suggests savings.
Assistive Technology Device
An assistive technology device (e.g., voice-controlled switch, adaptive controller for accessibility).
Watch
Projects From Past Seasons
Real Mechatronics entries from past Infomatrix finalists.
Judging Criteria
Mechatronics Rubric
Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1 to 5 by the international jury.
- 1 · Needs work
- 2 · Limited
- 3 · Adequate
- 4 · Strong
- 5 · Exceptional
| Criteria | 1 Point | 2 Points | 3 Points | 4 Points | 5 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. Originality / Creativity | The project lacks originality and creativity, resembling common solutions. | Limited creativity with minimal innovative elements. | Some creative features, but the overall project lacks uniqueness. | Demonstrates creativity with a few original elements. | Exceptional originality and creativity are evident throughout the project. |
| 02. Difficulty / Complexity | The project is overly simplistic and lacks complexity. | Limited complexity; the project needs more advanced elements. | The project demonstrates an acceptable level of difficulty and complexity. | Good complexity with a balance between simplicity and sophistication. | Exceptionally challenging and complex; goes beyond standard expectations. |
| 03. Usability (Interface) | The user interface is confusing or non-existent, hindering usability. | Limited usability; the interface needs improvement. | Acceptable usability, but some aspects could be more user-friendly. | Well-designed interface with good user interaction principles. | Exceptional usability, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience. |
| 04. Functionality | The project lacks essential functionality and has numerous issues. | Limited functionality with significant bugs or errors. | Basic functionality is present, but there are noticeable issues. | Good functionality with minor bugs that do not hinder performance. | The project demonstrates flawless functionality with no observable issues. |
| 05. Technical Skills | Little evidence of technical skills; the project seems beyond the student's abilities. | Basic technical skills demonstrated; significant room for improvement. | Competent technical skills; meets the expected standard. | Strong technical skills displayed with advanced techniques. | Exceptional technical skills; the student demonstrates mastery of hardware control concepts. |
| 06. Oral Presentation | Incoherent presentation; lacks structure and clarity. | Presentation is somewhat disorganized and difficult to follow. | Adequate presentation with clear communication but may lack enthusiasm. | Engaging and well-structured presentation; effectively conveys key points. | Exceptional oral presentation with enthusiasm, clarity, and strong engagement. |
| 07. Documentation | Little to no documentation provided; lacks necessary details. | Minimal documentation; insufficient details to understand the project. | Adequate documentation with some room for improvement. | Comprehensive documentation that effectively explains the project. | Exceptional documentation, providing thorough and clear insights into the project. |
| 08. The Stand Design | The stand lacks visual appeal and fails to showcase the project effectively. | Limited effort in stand design; does not attract attention. | Adequate stand design with some elements that showcase the project. | Well-designed stand that effectively highlights the project's key features. | Exceptional stand design, visually appealing, and enhances the overall presentation. |
| 09. Responsible AI Usage | AI use (if any) is opaque or improper (no credits; licensing/privacy ignored). | Minimal citation; limited oversight; unclear value added by AI. | Cited tools/models and prompts; human review present; generally appropriate. | Transparent, well-justified AI use with editing/validation and compliance. | Exemplary: ethical, transparent AI integration that elevates the product with reproducible process. |
At the World Finals
Your own booth to showcase your project
If you come to the Infomatrix World Finals, you will be given a booth like this one, where you can showcase your project to the public, visiting schools, sponsors, and other participants.
- A dedicated exhibition booth to display your posters, prototype, and demo for everyone at the venue.
- Separately, you and your team will be taken to the jury judging rooms for your official presentation and evaluation.
registration_status: open
Ready to enter Mechatronics?
Registration for Season 2027 is open until 15 March.
Open the registration portal