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Alumni Visit to the Mechatronics Unit and the Robot Design Lab

Published Mar 06, 2026

Graduates from the second year of the Mechatronics programme (class of 1986) returned to KTH, to reconnect with the unit and reflect on the field's development over time

The Mechatronics Unit at KTH recently welcomed alumni from its second cohort, who graduated in 1986. The occasion provided an opportunity to revisit the origins of the programme, reflect on its development, and reconnect with the current research and teaching environment, including a visit to the unit's laboratory facilities and the Robot Design Lab. The photo shows eight of the visiting alumni from left to right: Peter Madsen, Robert Olsson, Hans Blomqvist, Mats Mallmin, Magnus Gudéhn, Ulf Palmér, Pär Edlund, and Johan Carell.

During the visit, the alumni reflected on both the technological progress and the enduring foundations of the field. As Hans Blomqvist noted: “We see that significant progress has been made in resources for prototyping and the use of modern technology. However, the fundamental idea of Mechatronics remains the same as it was 40 years ago. Mechatronics brings together mechanics, electronics, and microcomputer technology, together with the users’ requirements on the machine.”

The visit highlighted both the long-term evolution of the Mechatronics Unit and the enduring interdisciplinary foundation of the field, which continues to shape research and education at KTH today.