Editorial:
Special Issue on Robotics and Mechatronics Technology for Sports, Exercise, and Health Care (Part 2)
Takayuki Tanaka*1, Takashi Kawamura*2, Shunji Moromugi*3, Yuichi Kurita*4, and Akihiko Murai*5
*1Professor, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University
Kita 14, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0814, Japan
*2Professor, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University
3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
*3Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University
1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
*4Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University
1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
*5Team Leader, Human Augmentation Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
6-2-3 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
Robotics, mechatronics, and digital technologies are advancing significantly in sports, exercise, and healthcare, and offer innovative solutions that shape the future of these fields. In Part 2 of this special issue, we examine independent research and cutting-edge developments that address new challenges and provide unique contributions to these domains.
Technological advancements in assistive devices and rehabilitation offer new solutions for improving the quality of life of individuals with physical challenges. Researchers of wearable assistive devices and prosthetics continue to devise methods to enhance mobility and support physical functions, thereby benefiting both users and healthcare providers.
Sports and motion analysis remains a key focus area, where innovative technologies are employed to analyze and improve athletic performance. By capturing and evaluating detailed movement data, these technologies can help athletes refine their techniques and achieve greater precision in their sports, thus ultimately resulting in enhanced performance and injury prevention.
As in Part 1, the studies presented in this issue demonstrate the practical applications of cutting-edge technologies and offer insights into their future potential. We hope that these contributions will inspire researchers and practitioners alike and provide a foundation for continued advancements in these exciting and impactful fields.
This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationa License.