In the last two years, the use of drones has advanced rapidly. Drones are becoming an indispensable tool in various industrial fields, such as surveying, inspection, and agriculture. At the same time, autonomous drone technology has also made rapid progress, with the unprecedented appearance of intelligent drones that combine image processing technology with AI technology. In this special issue, we are calling for papers on the latest autonomous drone technologies, especially intelligent drones.

本特集号では，公道における実験を通して積み重ねられた，確実に動くシステム構築とその制御手法を世界に発信することを目的としています．実世界における自律移動ロボットの公開実験「つくばチャレンジ」は，2018 年から第三ステージとなり，開催場所はつくば市役所をスタート地点とするコースへと変更されました．また，新たなる試みとして，前日に通知されるチェックポイントの通過や，２台同時スタート，コース中の一時停止線の厳守など，現実世界の自律走行に期待される機能を要求する課題が加わりました．一方，つくばチャレンジの精神を受け継いだ新たなる試みとして，大阪市内での公開実証実験事業「中之島チャレンジ」が2018 年より開催されています．大阪の市街地を自律移動ロボットが走行する唯一の大会として，市街地ならではの実環境走行に求められる課題が新たに発見され，それらを解決してくれるものと期待しています．それぞれのチャレンジで，大会から提供された課題を達成したチームはシステム構成と制御手法を，惜しくも課題達成ができなかったチームは，各々のチームが設定した課題とシステムの検証を是非とも行っていただき，得られた知見を共有して頂きたいと考えております．本特集号へのご投稿をお待ちしています．

Brain machine/computer interface (BMI/BCI) technologies are based on analyzing brain activity to control machines and to support the communication of commands and messages. To sense brain
activities, a functional NIRS and electroencephalogram (EEG) are often employed. The devices have been developed to sense brain activities. Analysis techniques and algorithms for the NIRS and EEG
signals have also been created. Moreover, human support systems in the form of BMI/BCI applications have been developed. In the field of rehabilitation, BMI/BCI is used to control environment control systems and electric wheelchairs. In medicine, BMI/BCI is used to assist in communication for patient support. In industry, BMI/BCI is used to analyze KANSEI and develop novel entertainment games. This special issue focuses on BMI/BCI devices, techniques, and applications that support humanity. Various papers pertaining to but not limited to the following topics are welcomed: devices for EEG sensing; devices for BMI/BCI, EEG-BCI, and EEG-BMI; machine learning for BMI/BCI; deep learning for BMI/BCI; BMI and robotics; brain-inspired systems; EEG analysis techniques; fNIRS signal analysis; cognitive science for BMI/BCI; brain activity analysis; and novel approaches to BMI/BCI.

It is well known that fluid-powered systems are used practically in almost all industrial fields, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, and others. Nowadays, the rapid growth in the development of mechanical elements in fluid power systems, such as control valves, actuators, and sensors, as well as control strategies has given rise to pioneering in some novel application fields, in ways that were thought to be impossible a decade ago. High-precision positioning control using the compressible fluid of pneumatic driving systems and multi-legged robots equipped with standalone hydraulic components are simple examples. Moreover, soft robotics based on fluid-powered technologies have attracted attention not only in academia but also in human support fields that will become more important as Japan’s society ages. This special issue focuses on the state of the art in development of mechanical elements, total drive systems, motion control theory, as well as of concrete applications that use fluid-powered systems.

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, based on the semiconductor process, enables sensors and other key components that are small in size to be fabricated cheaply. MEMS can
be integrated with circuits which enables functions such as signal processing and communication. Although there are so many sensors available to living beings, only a limited number are available
for use by robots. MEMS integrated with circuits has the potential to realize advanced robotics and mechatronics through combinations with AI and other technologies. Sensors that can recognize their environment as 3D imagers and proximity sensors are important not only for autonomous cars but also for advanced robots, and there are many other related devices, such as actuators and advanced sensors. The special issue focuses on the MEMS applications for robotics and mechatronics. Various papers pertaining to these topics are welcomed.

The Science Council of Japan’s 2008 Report, “Aiming for a Zero Traffic Accidents Society,” states that “it is necessary to establish various driver-assisting technologies on the assumption that people make mistakes,” “for advanced driving-assisting technologies, coordination between human operation and machine assistance, and social acceptability need to be evaluated,” and “new driving assistance by introduction of robotic technology and application of limited automatic driving should be considered in the future.” A wide array robotic technologies are expected to contribute to, not only providing intelligence to passenger cars and transport vehicles and their advance but also activities creating a rich future for the transportation of people and materials. Over the past decade, researchers and engineers have made many attempts to achieve this. Now, looking toward the Tokyo Olympics, we call for papers for JRM’s special issue, “Innovative Robotics and Mechatronics Technology of Modern Passenger Cars for Zeroing Traffic Accidents.”

Japan has infrastructure facilities, including bridges, tunnels, roads, etc., intensively built during the period of rapid economic growth. These facilities are naturally aging rapidly now. As the percentage of facilities fifty years old or older is expected to increase at an accelerating pace over the next twenty years, it is necessary that those infrastructures aging simultaneously be strategically maintained and updated those infrastructures aging. At present, Japan has about 699,000 bridges and about 10,300 tunnels.
Under the existing conditions, however, almost all of the inspections of infrastructure facilities depend on a labor-intensive approach. If this continues, inspecting all the infrastructure facilities will take too long, resulting in the risk of the collapse of facilities before their inspection and maintenance are completed. In response to this, there is now a growing need for significantly more efficient infrastructure maintenance and inspection utilizing robotics and mechatronics technologies. A few projects have already been launched.
Focusing on systems that are under development or have recently been developed for infrastructure maintenance and inspection, this special issue is calling for papers on robotics and mechatronics that would contribute to such technologies. In addition to research papers, development reports are also welcomed.

As social robot research has advanced, the interaction distance between people and robots has decreased. Indeed, although we once needed to keep a certain amount of physical distance from traditional industrial robots for safety, we now interact with social robots in such close proximity that we can actually touch. Since social robots are at work in our daily environments, it is essential that our designs keep close interactions with humans in mind, so this special issue focuses on close humanrobot interactions. As robotics, engineering, and behavioral sciences all fall within its scope, papers related to sensing, actuation, control mechanisms, haptics, social touch interaction, affective interaction, conversational interaction, verbal/non-verbal behavior design, cognitive science, behavioral science, etc. are welcome. Conceptual papers focusing on new ideas and/or methods are welcomed for this special issue as well.

[in Japanese]
近年のロボットメカトロニクス技術の高度化複雑化に伴って，一つの研究室で完結することが難しくなりつつあります．そこで，大学等の研究機関では人と資財を集中するための組織として研究センターを設立して研究開発を進めています．本特集では，大学だけではなく企業や官公庁の研究機関の研究センターの最先端の研究成果を世界に発信する企画です．内容は研究センターの紹介のための概要１ページ（掲載料無料）とJournal paper またはDevelopment report を２～３編で構成します．なお，論文審査はこれまでの規程通りに行います．研究センター関係者のご投稿をお待ちしています．

[in English]
Recent advancements and sophistications in robotics and mechatronics technologies have created challenges for individual research groups to complete their work independently. Under these circumstances, research institutes, such as universities, have established research centers to promote advanced and sophisticated technological innovations by centralizing humans and material assets. This special issue is planned to globally expose the cutting-edge research outcomes from these research centers in universities as well as companies and governmental agencies. The contents of this special issue will consist of one-page brief introductions to these research centers (page-charge free) and of a few journal papers and development reports from each listed organization. The papers and reports submitted to this special issue will be peer-reviewed base on the regular rules of the journal. All members affiliated with such research centers are hereby cordially invited to contribute papers or reports to this special issue of the Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics.
<PDF>: https://www.fujipress.jp/main/wp-content/uploads/JRM_CFP_Center_E.pdf

Miniaturization of computers and electronic devices as well as advancements in processing algorithms have enabled the development and practical use of several wearable devices. Other devices such as power assist robots for reducing the burden of work or wearable sensors for measuring physical activity and health condition of people and animals also provide various uses and are available in several forms. In Japan, Society 5.0 is attracting significant attention as one of the important technologies for a human-centered society that achieves both economic development and solutions to social problems. A society that can benefit from wearable devices anytime and anywhere is thus being realized. In this special issue, we focus on robotics and mechatronics technology for next generation wearable devices to realize a progressive society; the technologies in focus include wearable systems and their principles and fabrication, AI, IoT, and related technologies of practical use.

[in Japanese]
Journal of Robotics and Mechatronicsでは、大学の研究者による研究論文だけではなく、企業の技術者や大学・高専の学生による開発報告も募集しています。ロボティクス・メカトロニクスのシステム・技術を開発してみたが学術研究としてはまとめづらい場合であっても、自分たちの開発成果を読者に紹介したいという場合には、開発報告を書いてください。掲載されるとオンラインで無料公開され、世界中の読者に対して自分たちの成果を発信できます。英文誌ですが、英語で書くのが苦手な方でも、日本語で書いて出版社で翻訳することも可能です。開発現場での製品開発やロボット競技会での活動を通して達成した成果を、ぜひとも開発報告として投稿してください。

[in English]
The Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics (JRM) is calling for not only research papers from university researchers but also development reports from corporate engineers and university or college students. If you would like to present to our readers a system or technology you have developed in the field of robotics and mechatronics, you are encouraged to write a development report, even if you find difficulty in writing a research paper. Once published, your report will appear online free of charge and be shared with readers all over the world. JRM is an English journal, but if you are not confident in your English skills, you can write your report in Japanese and we will translate it for you. We are looking forward to receiving your development reports on, such as, product development in your company or an achievement in a robotics competition.
<PDF>: https://www.fujipress.jp/main/wp-content/uploads/JRM_CFP_Development.pdf

[in Japanese]
近年、3Dプリンタが急速に注目を集めています。高性能化と低価格化を背景に、一般家庭でも3Dプリンタを所有できる時代になり、個人でも容易にデジタルデータからオリジナルの立体造形物を作り出すことが可能になりました。ものづくり革命の到来とも言われています。JRMでは、3Dプリンタによるものづくりの革新を特集するため、革新的な造形技術やモデリング技術、理工系教育への応用、などロボット・メカトロニクス分野への応用が期待される3Dプリンタの技術の報告を募集します。投稿者と読者の間でモデリングデータやノウハウを共有し、創造的アイデアのネットワークを形成していくことも狙いの１つです。大学や研究機関からはもちろん、企業からも、皆様の投稿をお待ちしております。

[in English]
The high performance and low price of 3D printers have made them available to ordinary homes and individuals. Nowadays original 3D objects can be easily produced by individuals using 3D printers. To focus on the innovation of manufacturing using 3D printers, we are calling for technical reports introducing 3D printer technologies applied to robotics and mechatronics fields. Examples include innovative shaping and modeling technology, scientific and technological education, and so on. One of our aims is to form a creative network among authors and readers through the sharing of modeling data and technical knowledge. Submissions are welcome from both academic institutions such as universities and laboratories and from commercial and other enterprises.
Details are given in the following PDF.
https://www.fujipress.jp/main/wp-content/uploads/JRM_3DPrinter_CFP_En.pdf

Regular paper submission is always welcome.