The smart product design process is concerned with the flexibility of response and adaptability of design to meet to these customer requirements and also product life cycle demands; and at the same time enabling the trade-offs to take place between discipline-specific capabilities. This is achieved through the enhancement of control in the products using electronics, including microprocessors and micro-controllers. In short, integrating mechatronics into product design.

Consumers today demand products that have extended functionality, increased complexity, enhanced smartness and impeccable aesthetics. The increased functionality, complexity, and smartness means the ability of products to identify and respond to changes in the environment and user's needs. These must be achieved with higher quality and reliability with reduced manufacturing and societal costs.

Product design and mechatronics has been identified by the Economic Development Board, Design Singapore Council and SPRING Singapore as the key areas critical to the development of the industries in Singapore.

This programme is specifically designed to equip engineers and scientists with the in-depth knowledge and skills in product design and development, advanced mechatronics, human-centered ergonomics, rapid prototyping and management of innovation to develop new and better products that meet the increasing demands of today’s sophisticated market.