Recent technological developments have expanded the range of applications and possibilities for industrial robots. This special issue calls for a wide range of papers from reports of successful practical applications to ambitious proposals that may significantly impact the field in the future, concerning the automation of manual work such as material handling in factories, logistics, commercial facilities, and public facilities, as well as elemental technologies and system integration for new work methods such as collaboration and remote operation. We expect not only papers on elemental technologies including traditional technologies such as computer vision, grasping, manipulation, mechatronics, control methods, robot hands, mechanisms, and actuators, but also proposals for the future with challenging technologies such as human–machine interactions, foundation models, generative AI, and soft robotics. In systems integration, we welcome articles on robot programming, mobile manipulators, and new automation system applications. Through this special issue, we hope to share with you the future of this historic industrial field.

Research has been ongoing on various types of soft robots in recent years. Soft robots with flexible mechanisms are expected to contribute greatly to the development of robotics, not only in industrial applications but also in various other applications, such as tasks involving robot-human interactions. Flexible mechanisms are not necessarily realized with flexible materials alone; they can also be realized by taking new approaches to conventional mechanisms. It is also desirable for sensors and various other components to be flexible so that they do not reduce the flexibility of a mechanism. The development of these mechanisms and elemental technologies will lead to the further development of soft robots. This special issue will feature papers on the structures and applications of soft mechanisms and soft elements, as well as on design and analysis methods and control techniques. We welcome many submissions so that we may contribute to the further development of soft robots.

Snake-like robots are robots that have elongated, snake-like bodies. Because of their long, thin shapes, snakelike robots are expected to play different roles from those of other types of robots. For example, they may be used to inspect pipes or search for victims at disaster sites. Many studies that focus on biomimetics, mechanisms, modeling, analyzing, control, navigation, sensing, and localization have been conducted on snakelike robots, and there have been many efforts aimed at their industrialization.
This special issue calls for a wide range of research and development results from the field of robotics and mechatronics for snake-like robots and similar elongated, hyper-redundant robots, such as earthworm robots, caterpillar robots, or other articulated mobile robots.

Aerial robot technology, including drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, is rapidly advancing in various domains. These robots now possess enhanced autonomous flying abilities, utilizing sensor technology, GPS, LiDAR, and cameras for avoiding obstacles, landing automatically, and tracking flights. Evolving technologies in airspace management and route optimization ensure efficient and secure flights. Aerial robots find applications in diverse fields, such as agriculture, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, they excel in precise data collection. Swarm robotics, enabling collaborative efforts among multiple aerial robots, is also progressing. This aids in the quick coverage of large areas, benefiting disaster relief and land management. The evolution of aerial robots has led to their efficient use across fields, with new applications on the horizon. This special issue aims to facilitate the sharing of insights and interdisciplinary knowledge in aerial robotics, encompassing design, control, autonomous flight, applications, and sensing technologies. Contributions discussing the social implementation of these systems are also encouraged.

Robotics, mechatronics, and digital technologies are actively being used in sports, health care, and exercise. Additionally, advancements in AI and robotics are expected to lead to even more innovative applications. Robotics technology plays a significant role in sports and exercise training. There is a growing interest in technology that enables training robots to monitor individual movement and form, providing feedback to the user and facilitating effective training. The combination of biosensor technology and digital technology is enhancing performance and health monitoring. Real-time data collection using wearable devices and smart sensors allows for measuring exercise performance and analyzing biometric data. Systems are also being developed that utilize AI and machine learning to analyze individual data and provide information to enhance performance and prevent injuries. VR and AR are offering groundbreaking experiences in the field of sports and exercise, with various applications in development, including training simulations, realistic recreations of competitive events, visual performance analysis, and virtual coaches for training instructions. In this special issue, we invite papers on the research and development of robotics, mechatronics, and digital technologies and systems in sports, health care, and exercise. We also welcome papers discussing the social implementation of these systems.

The “multi-agent system” (MAS) has been extensively researched, not only in the field of robotics but also in various other disciplines, such as economics, biology, and computer science. The distinctive feature of this system lies in the bottom-up achievement of the overall tasks of the system, wherein multiple agents with diverse characteristics engage in localized interactions. Moreover, there has been progress in designing and controlling system networks based on graph theory. In recent years, there has been a wide range of applications, including autonomous driving technologies, smart grids, and social systems. In this special issue, we aim to deepen the understanding of multi-agent systems, so we invite research papers that focus on their control and application. We welcome research papers from diverse fields related to multi-agent systems, such as swarm robotics, autonomous distributed systems, and machine learning. We eagerly await your enthusiastic submissions.

Various construction robot technologies have been developed for DX in the construction industry to increase productivity and safety. Even if they are technically superior, stand-alone technologies will not lead to practical applications, however. Currently, construction robots must work as part of a system integrated into construction and inspection procedures, or the entire site must function as a construction robot system. This special issue is to collect reviews, technical papers, and development reports related to robotic, mechatronic, and information systems to accelerate DX in the construction industry. We also welcome a wide range of topics related to construction robotics.

On March 11, 2011, an accident occurred at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) of the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), and radiation levels in the reactor buildings have reached high levels due to the spread of radioactive contamination. Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of radiation exposure to workers during decommissioning work at FDNPS, it has become essential to utilize remote control system based on the technologies and knowledge in the field of robotics and mechatronics. The decommissioning of FDNPS is expected to take 30–40 years, and although 10 years have passed since the accident, there are still many unknowns at FDNPS. In addition, difficult tasks such as of fuel debris retrieval from the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) await in the future, and the development of technologies to accomplish this is currently underway. Since the experience and knowledge of technological development gained through decommissioning task should be shared widely. This special issue is to collect review, technical papers related to robotic, mechatronic and information systems for decommissioning, and also development reports on remote control technologies used in decommissioning of FDNPS and also the technologies being developed for that. We also welcome a wide range of topics related to decommissioning technology.

Regular paper submission is always welcome. Submitted paper is reviewed at all times, and when it is accepted for publication, it will appear in the near issue.
一般投稿論文は常に受け付けております。随時査読を行い、採録になり次第出版日の近い号に掲載されます。

[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>

[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>

[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 PDF.