The Mechatronics Institute (IMTRONICS) was created in the 2001 under the INVENT program to advance innovation in the industrial sector of Thessaly. The Mechatronics Institute was created to continue this mission. The region of Thessaly is ranked 202 among the European Regions with respect to regional innovation indicators. The strategic plan of the region of Thessaly aims to encourage creativity and knowledge and become a pole for development with a strong scientific base, competitive enterprises and high quality of human resources. Some of the goals of the region’s innovation strategy include:

• Converge towards the EU with respect to regional innovation indicators (RRSII)
• Encourage innovative activities in order to improve entrepreneurship and competitiveness
• Develop a strong scientific base with an international recognition and strong links with the European research area
• Encourage cooperation between the scientific and the productive base of the region
  • Improve the quality of regional human capital
• Develop the Regional Innovation Pole of Thessaly as a dynamic system with specific business strategies suitable for the needs and capabilities of Thessaly

The strategic plan of Thessaly has set the following priorities:

• Improve cooperation of the scientific and productive base of the region
• Develop necessary research infrastructure
• Develop missing business infrastructure
• Encourage regional business clusters
• Support innovative business plans
• Improve quality of human resources
• Improve quality of liaison and technology transfer mechanisms
• Improve regional policy making mechanisms for innovation

CERETETH research and development directions coincide with the strategic goals of the Region of Thessaly and bound to play a significant role in the realization of the regional strategic plan and contribute towards the development of our region.

The active researchers of the institute include the President and Vice – president of CERETETH, one full time researcher (level B), one Post Doc, 12 Ph.D. and graduate students, and about 30 faculty members from the departments of Computer and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physical Education and Sport Science, and the Medical School of the University of Thessaly and the Technological Institutes of Lamia and Larisa. CERETETH is shareholder of a spin-off company (NOVA MECHANICA) with expertise in the areas of micromechanics, nanotechnology, and material characterization, that was founded by members of IMTRONICS in late 2007.

The Institute and its laboratories are located in the city of Volos. There are five laboratories in INTRONICS in the following scientific areas:

• Mechantronics and Biomechatronics
• Microelectronics and Embedded Systems
• Micromechanics, Materials, and Nanostructures
• Telecommunications and Networks
• Information Systems and Services

IMTRONICS is responsible for the promotion of research and services for innovative applications in the areas of Mechanics, Materials, Bioengineering, Information and Telematic Systems, Robotics and Control Systems, Embedded/Wearable Systems and Sensors, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), and Scientific Computing.