Introduction of special issue commemorating the 30th anniversary of Japan Society of Geoinformatics

In this interview to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Theory, Culture & Society special issue on Global Culture, Roland Robertson reflects on his long involvement as one of the major theorists of globalization. He recounts how in his early years as a sociologist there was strong resistance to thinking beyond the nation-state society. He comments on the emergence of the field of transdisciplinary global studies, the concern with global culture and his own attempts to extend the concept of globalization by developing the term glocalization. He also discusses the present Covid-19 pandemic and ends with a number of reflections on global history.

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Special Issue on Selected Papers from ROBOMEC'08 (Part 2)

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.2009.p0300 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 300-300

Author(s):

Kazunori Umeda ◽

◽

Hiroki Murakami ◽

Keyword(s):

Industrial Development ◽

Great Success ◽

Japan Society ◽

Special Issue ◽

Fluid System ◽

Program Chair

The Robotics and Mechatronics Conference 2008 (ROBOMEC'08) was held at the “Big Hat” in Nagano, Japan, June 5-7, 2008, sponsored by the Robotics and Mechatronics Division of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME). Prof. Minoru Hashimoto of Shinshu University served as organizing chair, Prof. Takashi Kawamura of Shinshu University as general chair, and Hiroki Murakami of IHI Corporation as program chair. The conference motto was “Robotics and Mechatronics for Sustainable Industrial Development.” A record-breaking 1,054 papers were presented in about 70 sessions, including Nano/Micro Fluid System and Medical and Welfare Robotics and Mechatronics. Participants numbered over 1,500, making it a great success. This special issue presents 13 papers from the conference. Of the 109 outstanding presentations recommended for submission, 42 were submitted and reviewed. Of these, 28 excellent papers have been accepted including the first 15 already published in Part 1 (Vol.21, No.2). We thank the authors for their invaluable contributions to this issue and the reviewers for their extensive time and effort. We also thank Editor-in-Chief Prof. Tatsuo Arai of Osaka University for organizing this special issue.

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Special Issue on 2nd Japan-France Congress on Mechatronics

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.1995.p0195 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 195-195

Author(s):

Seiji Hata ◽

Keyword(s):

Current Status ◽

Medium Size ◽

Japan Society ◽

Special Issue ◽

Precision Engineering ◽

Ordinary Life ◽

The Past ◽

Poster Sessions ◽

The World ◽

Before And After

Following the I st congress in Besancon in 1992, the 2nd Japan-France Congress on Mechatronics was held at Takamatsu City in Japan from November 1 to 3, 1994. The congress was co-sponsored by Kagawa University, the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, and l'Institut des Microtechniques de Franche-Comte. A total of 282 persons participated in the congress, 49 from France, 209 from Japan, and 24 from other countries including China, U.S., Turkey, Korea, and Switzerland. Researchers and engineers from a total of 15 countries participated in the congress. The congress continues to become more international and exciting. There are six sessions at the congress. The session names and the number of the papers belonging to each are as follows: (1) Mechatronics, 33 papers; (2) Robotics, 53 papers; (3) Sensors, 26 papers; (4) Vision, 33 papers; (5) Microelectro Mechanical Systems, 20 papers; and (6) CIM & Systems, 21 papers. The total number of papers 186. Additionally, three keynote speakers discussed the current status and future of the mechatronics technologies. The papers were presented at the oral sessions and the poster sessions. In this special issue, 11 papers from these fields are presented to describe the current technological status in Japan. Takamatsu is charming old city near Osaka. The congress was held at the exhibition center in Intelligent Park in Takamatsu, which was newly developed as the technological center of the area. The congress was held at such a location so that participants from abroad could gain a feel for ordinary life in Japan. In addition to the congress, there were two technical tours before and after the congress. The technical tour to the industries in Takamatsu showed the vivid medium size manufacturers in Japan. It is the another viewpoint contrary to the huge companies of Japan. During the congress, there were warm and friendly technological interactions between Japan and Europe. This should be further encouraged, and more countries should be included in the congress. The 3rd French-Japanese Congress on Mechatronics will be held at Besancon, France in 1996. It will also be the first European-Asia Congress. I hope that many researchers and engineers from all over the world, will participate in the congress and that the warm and friendly atmosphere of the past congress is provided at the next congress.

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Special Issue on Selected Papers from ROBOMEC'06 (Part 1)

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.2007.p0133 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 133-133

Author(s):

Kiyoshi Komoriya ◽

◽

Shigeki Sugano ◽

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Japan Society ◽

Special Issue ◽

Program Chair ◽

Aged Society ◽

Robot Technology ◽

Selection For ◽

Advanced Robotics ◽

Final Selection

The 2006 JSME Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC'06) was held at Waseda University and Shinjuku Cosmic Center, Tokyo, Japan, on May 26-28, 2006, sponsored by the Robotics and Mechatronics Division of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. Prof. Fujie of Waseda University served as general chair and Prof. Sugano of Waseda University as program chair. The conference, whose theme was ""Robot Technology Integration for Improved Quality of Life,"" was to help establish new life style in coming aged society using advanced robotics and mechatronics technologies. Organized sessions numbered 63 and papers 883, again a record for the conference. This special issue presents 13 papers from the conference culled from 90 outstanding presentations – some 14% of the total – which were further narrowed to 37 before final selection for Part 1 (Vol.19, No.2). We thank the authors for their invaluable contributions to this issue and the reviewers for their time and effort. We also thank the former Editor-in-Chief Prof. Makoto Kaneko of Osaka University for organizing this special issue.

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Special Issue on From Microrobotics to Nanorobotics

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.2002.p0211 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 211-211

Author(s):

Fumihito Arai ◽

Keyword(s):

System Performance ◽

Material Science ◽

Japan Society ◽

Special Issue ◽

Services Research ◽

Short Introduction ◽

International Conference ◽

Engineering Level ◽

Analysis And Synthesis ◽

Ieee International Conference

Micro/nanotechnologies are keys crucial to improving system performance. This is why it is so important to research theory and applications based on analysis and synthesis from the micro- to the nanotechnology engineering level. Micro/nanorobotics are extremely important to the future of robotics and automation. Micro/nanotechnologies will certainly be applied in fields such as material science, industry, medicine, bioengineering, and services. Research on micro/nanoscale manipulation has thus attracted special attention in the robotics and mechatronics communities in the last decade. This special issue features selected papers focusing on cutting-edge topics and innovative applications based on new approaches in the fields of micro/nanorobotics. These papers were chosen from the 2001 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA2001) and important domestic conferences such as the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers(JSME) Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC). I would like, in closing this short introduction, to express my particular gratitude to the authors, who have updated their papers for this special issue, and to thank all of the contributors and reviewers who have made this vital publication possible. I also would like to thank Editor-in-Chief Prof. Makoto Kaneko of Hiroshima University, who provided the opportunity for editing this issue. I hope the papers contained herein will prove both interesting and useful to readers wanting to learn about the latest advances in micro/nanorobotics.

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Special Issue on Selected Papers from ROBOMEC'03 (Part 1)

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics ◽

10.20965/jrm.2004.p0115 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 115-115

Author(s):

Kazuhito Yokoi ◽

◽

Masashi Furukawa

Keyword(s):

Program Committee ◽

Japan Society ◽

Special Issue ◽

Program Chair ◽

Wide Range ◽

Advanced Robotics

This special issue commemorates the designation of the Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics as the International Journal of the Robotics and Mechatronics Division of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers from 1999. The 2003 JSME Conference on Robotics and Mechatronics (ROBOMEC'03) was held in Hakodate May 23-25, 2003, sponsored by the Robotics and Mechatronics Division of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. The general chair was Prof. Mikami and the program chair was Prof. Furukawa. The purpose of the conference was to aid in the establishment of new industries using advanced Robotics and Mechatronics technologies. Technical sessions featured 70 organized sessions and 770 papers enjoyed by some 1,000 participants. This special issue presents a wide range of ROBOMEC'03 papers to disseminate the informative and innovative results. The program committee selected 95 outstanding papers, or about 10%. Of the 36 submitted and reviewed by the Journal's referees, 28 were selected for publication. Special Issue Part 1 on Selected Papers from ROBOMEC'03 (Vol. 16, No. 2) presents 14, and others are presented in Part 2 (Vol. 16, No. 3). We thank the authors featured in this special issue for their time and effort. We also thank Editor-in-Chief Prof. Makoto Kaneko of Hiroshima University for his indispensable effort in organizing this special issue and the editors for selecting the papers.

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