Current RD of mechatronics in japan From Mechatronics Revolution to Opto-Mechatronics -

摘要

"Mechatronics" is a Japanese coined word which synthesized mechanism and electronics ~((1)). Testuro Mori of a Japanese company Yaskawa Electric Corporation in 1969 devised it as "Technology incorporated electronics in mechanism, to link both more closely and organically". In the first half of the twentieth century, since Japan intended to overtake Europe and America, there were many imitation technologies of Europe and America. In the latter half of the twentieth century, electronic industry rapidly developed in Japan. In addition, machines combined with electronics were substituted for know-how, technology and skill necessary in manufacturing industry. Then the mechatronics technology was rapidly developed from 1970's, and the economy of Japn rapidly extended. Mechatroics became the motive force of the development of not only Japn but also world economy after 1970's. Zhou~((1)) calls this rapid development "mechatronics revolution" by contrasting with the industrial revolution, which was generated in United Kingdom in the latter half of the eighteenth century (see FIg. 1).