Key Factors of Dependability of Mechatronic Units - Mechatronic Dependability -

Serious accidents in the last years, e.g. Concorde disaster, long-distance train ICE 3rd generation, and countless and increasing rates of call-back actions of automobiles because of failures, underline the necessity for systematic dependability analysis and integrative dependability design. The different technological areas (mechanics, electronics, information and communication technology) and a wide concept of trustworthiness (dependability) that subsumes reliability, availability, safety and security under “real-world“ constraints have to be regarded and integrated. One key solving the problems is the adequate definition and stringent use of this definition during the whole development cycle. The following questions have to be answered: What is understood by the term mechatronic dependability? What are the key factors of Mechatronic Dependability? The key factors are put together to form a framework for mechatronic dependability evaluation and design.