I took a mechatronics course and it's very useful. For my project I designed a system that used two servo motors, three ultrasonic range sensors [in a triangle formation], and a high powered laser in the middle of the triangle formation. I never got around to actually finishing the construction but it could easily be programmed to auto target itself by equations that would adjust the arms connected to the servos to align a target within a range by making the object an equal distance between all three range sensors. Thus, aiming the laser on the object. If the distance for firing is programmed and the equations for the proper angels are set with all three sensors the laser should theoretically be aligned on the target.
As a demonstration I was going to have balloons introduced to the range and have the laser pop them. But, I theorize that the applications could be used on a satellite to shoot oncoming small space debris or space rocks. The laser should create a force on the object and change its trajectory. If constructed with much more high quality components it would function much better.
This is just one example of mechatronics. We also used a program called Labview to auto program the other devices we made in the lab in the form of a graphic interface making it much easier for people who are not programmers themselves.