Human Friendly Mechatronics

ICMA (International Conference on Machine Automation) was born in Finland, who is
well known to be one of the most advanced countries in the field of science and technology.
ICMA2000 is the third Conference, but is the first in Japan. In the past Conference held in
Finland many people from various countries including Japan participated it, discussing on
machine automation, mechatronics and robotics. It is our great pleasure that Finnish ICMA
Members gave us the chance to hold it in Japan.
"Mechatronics" is the technology or engineering which has been rapidly developed in the
last 2 or 3 decades. Today we can easily find "mechatronics products" in industries and in our
daily life. The mechatronics products are listed as follows: Intelligent engine and cruise
control systems for automobiles; Intelligent household electric appliances such as computer
controlled sewing machine, washing machine, refrigerator, VTR; Auto-focusing camera;
Computer peripheral equipment such as printer, magnetic/optical disk drive; Informationprocessing
equipment such as digital communication system, portable telephone; NC machine
tools such as wire-cut electric discharge machine, NC milling machine; environment control
system including air conditioner, automatic door; Semiconductor manufacturing facilities;
Automatic ZIP code reading machine; Sorting machine for agricultural or marine products;
etc