Soft robotics is currently one of the most active fields in robotics. While traditional robots consist of rigid bodies, powerful servomotors, and carefully coded programs to realize power, precision, and reliability, soft robots consist of soft and flexible bodies, actuators, and intelligence to realize adaptability and flexibilities. These differences between traditional robotics and soft robotics have great potential to lead to a new field in robotics. We welcome papers pertaining to any of the following topics: soft robot design, bio-inspired soft robots, continuum mechanics, soft materials, flexible electronics, soft mechanisms, 4D printing, soft actuators, soft sensors, soft robot control, soft computing, physical reservoir computing, etc.

Autonomous car driving, construction robots, drones, rescue robots, and other machines that mainly operate outdoors are collectively referred to as field robotics. Field robotics has seen rapid growth in recent years and is widely expected to bring highly transformative societal changes. While robustness is key in all aspects in outdoor environments, AI has rapidly evolved to enable robust recognitions, which conventionally used to be difficult to realize, enhancing the feasibility of field robotics.
In this context, this Special Issue on “Field Robotics with Vision Systems” cordially invites as many papers and theses as possible on field robotics having vision systems.

Humans have a long history of self-augmentation, both in terms of body and being. Since ancient times, people have used cosmetics and implements to alter their appearance, state of mind, and abilities. As technology has advanced, the ways in which people have augmented themselves have only grown in variety and freedom. With modern virtual reality technology, for example, the only limit on augmenting one’s appearance and abilities is the designer’s imagination. Advances in the domains of robotics and human-computer interaction have similarly begun to extend the limits of the human form and its abilities in the physical world. Future advancements are expected to only further the release of the human race from limitations, eventually leading to the ability to achieve a freeform self.
This special issue seeks to gather cutting-edge research that aims to enhance and augment humans, both in body and being. Papers exploring the development of novel augmentations and/or the psychological and physical effects of the augmentations are welcome in this special issue. We welcome papers pertaining to any of the following topics:
1. Human augmentation
2. Robotics
3. Supernumerary limbs
4. Smart artifacts and smart textiles
5. Wearable and ubiquitous computing
6. Bionic systems
7. Exoskeletons
8. Implanted technologies and interfaces
9. Virtual, mixed, and augmented reality
10. Machine learning
11. Human-computer interaction
12. Cognitive neuroscience
13. Functional neuroimaging
14. Neurological augmentation
15. Brain-machine interfaces
16. Sensorimotor systems
17. Biosignal processing
18. Perception and cognition
19. Somatic cognition
20. Social psychology
21. Behavior analysis
22. Augmented sport
23. Training and rehabilitation technology
24. Design
25. Fashion
26. Technology and society
27. Privacy and security
28. Philosophy of science

In the studies done to date on the swarm behaviors of living creatures, many different observational techniques have been developed, indicating the importance of such detailed observations. The techniques of researchers aiming to capture the fact of the visually unobservable swarm behaviors of a variety of living creatures have included putting microsensors on the bodies of honey bees or ants, and putting data loggers (micro recorders) on those of birds or mammals. Such techniques, also called bio-logging, can go far in clarifying why we feel living creatures that exhibit swarm behaviors should have some intelligence as a swarm (swarm intelligence). Furthermore, the studies on swarm behaviors of living creatures can provide important knowledge to the studies on swarm robotics in the field of robotics. It is in this context that this special issue invites as many papers as possible on the biologging technologies and collective behaviors mainly for living creatures as well as various advanced measurement technologies related to them in hopes of contributing to further advancements in the biologging and swarm robotics fields.

The aging of Japan’s population, which is now progressing at a speed unprecedented in the world, has caused a shortage of caregivers as a major issue. At the same time, the Internet of things (IoT) is expected to create unprecedented new value by connecting all people and things, enabling them to share various kinds of knowledge and information, while artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are undergoing a transformation that has changed the value of human labor. These innovative technologies are expected to solve the problems created by the aging of society. In the field of nursing care, however, the relationship between the caregiver and the care-receiver is largely a person-to-person connection. How people and technology can coexist and what new creations can be invented to solve problems in such personal fields are open questions. There is a particularly urgent need for the social implementation of nursing robots that help those in need to become independent and reduce the burdens of caregivers, as well as for systems that support watching over the elderly and supporting their everyday functions. Adding to this is the spread of COVID-19, which is creating new needs by causing society to do more things remotely in order to reduce the risk of infection. For this special issue, we are looking for ideas and suggestions to solve a wide range of nursing care issues.

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.

[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.