Rolf Isermann is one of the leading academic figures associated with the novel and increasingly important field of mechatronics the most popular definition of which is:Mechatronics is the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control in the design and manufacture of products and processesHe was chair of the 1st IFAC conference on Mechatronics. He has worked extensively with industry in recent years especially in the automotive sector. He is a fellow of the IEEE and a member of the IFAC general council.