Human Adaptive Mechatronics

This article explains the background of human adaptive mechatronics (HAM) and the skill level of individuals to operate machines. It is natural to consider both human and environmental factors in the field of robotics and mechatronics. The progress of machines cannot be achieved without paying attention to these factors; a culture that accepts that this evolved through the contributions of many researchers and developers. Prof. Fumio Harashima contributed to the development of HAM significantly. He has done cooperative research with many companies (Hitachi, Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric, Fuji Electric, Toyo Electric, Dengensha Co., Toyota Corp., Tohoku Electric Power Co., Sumitomo Heavy Machine Corp., Yazaki Corp., and many others) and promoted several large research projects concerned with this culture, such as “Electromagnetic Interference” in the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science project (1998–2003), “Interaction and Intelligence” in the Sakigake Project (2001–2006) [1], and “Human Adaptive Mechatronics” in the HAM project by coordinating with Prof. Furuta during 2004–2008 [2]. The HAM project was initiated by Prof. Harashima and Prof. Furuta, my supervisors when I was a student at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and this project gave me an opportunity to meet Prof. Harashima.