2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Multidisciplinary Integration in Mechatronics Engineering: An Advanced Problem-Based Project Approach

Presented at Instrumentation: Data Acquisition and Devices for Automated Instrumentation

The education in Control and Automation Engineering within the context of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 requires a paradigmatic shift, moving from fragmented curricula to competency-based integrated models. This paper presents an analysis of the implementation of an integrative project model grounded in Project-Based Learning (PjBL), applied over five years in the Control and Automation Engineering program at Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia. The project evolved along two curricular axes: Axis I (Instrumentation, Control Systems, and Microcontrollers, 2019 - 2024) and Axis II (Industrial Automation, Programmable Logic, and Actuator Systems, 2024 - 2025). A mixed methodology was employed, using unified analytical rubrics to directly assess competencies aligned with ABET Student Outcomes, enabling the measurement of proficiency and pedagogical impact. The results reveal significant improvements in design (SO 2), complex problem-solving (SO 1), and teamwork (SO 5), as well as strengthening transversal skills such as critical thinking and project management. The model demonstrated strong alignment with the CDIO framework, contributing to the education of engineers prepared for Industry 5.0. However, lower performance in User Experience (SO 2) was identified, indicating the need to reinforce human factors in the curriculum.

Authors

Miss Andressa Corrente Martins Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia [biography]

Andressa Martins is holds a master's degree in Aerospace Systems and Mechatronics with a focus on Robotics from the Aeronautics Institute of Technology and a degree in Control and Automation Engineering from the Universidade Paulista. Currently, she is a professor at the Mauá Institute of Technology. She has experience in the field of Control and Automation Engineering (Mechatronics), working mainly on the following topics: Intelligent Systems, Digital Twin, Industrial Automation, Instrumentation, Robotics, Mechanism Design, and Engineering Fundamentals.
Fernando Silveira Madani http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5576-1494 Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia [biography]

Fernando Silveira Madani received the B.S (1998) in Mechatronics Engineering from the Univ. Paulista – Brazil, the M.S. (2002) and Ph.D. (2010) from the Aeronautical Institute of Technology (ITA) - Brazil. In 2002, he joined the faculty of the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Mauá Institute of Technology – Brazil, where he is currently as a Vice Provost and full professor of the Mechatronics Engineering program. His main research interests include, robotics, advanced manufacturing systems, embedded systems, and autonomous mobile robots. Since 2014 is an INEP (agency linked to the Ministry of Education) advisor, to promote the evaluation and improvement of undergraduate courses in mechatronics engineering in Brazil.
Eduardo Mikio Konigame
Dr. Anderson Harayashiki Moreira http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-3598-9504 Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia [biography]

Graduated in Control and Automation Engineering from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia (IMT) (2008). Master in Mechatronics Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) (2011). PhD in Mechatronics Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) (2017). He is currently a professor at the Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia. He develops activities and research in the area of mobile autonomous robotics, control systems, industrial robotics and microcontroller systems.
Alexandre Harayashiki Moreira http://orcid.org/0009-0005-3876-9071 [biography]

Alexandre Harayashiki Moreira received M.S. (2017) in multirobot system from UFABC Univ., Brazil. Since 2016, he has been a Member of Control & Automation Research group at Maua Institute of Technology focused on autonomous robots and smart cities.

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