Despite ominous predictions in the '80s and '90s, hydraulics being completely replaced by electrical drives did not occur, and fluid power still plays an important role in modern drive technology. Moreover, it is impossible to imagine many fields of industry working without hydraulic drives. The enormous power density makes hydraulic drives irreplaceable when large forces and high torques are required. Over the last 30 years, "traditional" hydraulics has evolved into electro-hydraulics, where the use of electronics and closed-loop controls has become an industrial standard. For years it was common to depict hydraulics as "strong, but stupid." Today this reputation no longer exists; hydraulics is not only strong, but also "intelligent." Modern fluid power drives are perfect examples of integrated mechatronic devices.
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