Robots are needed in diverse applications today, ranging from manufacturing to space and ocean exploration, nuclear reactor inspection, and medical and health care applications. Building these robots requires the ability to bring together the latest advances in diverse fields such as mechanical and electrical engineering, electronics, information technology, material science, and human engineering. Robotics engineers and scientists must develop the ability to tie these diverse fields together, while at the same time expanding their knowledge in individual fields.

The Department of Robotics develops individuals who are highly versed in IT and mechatronics, and who are capable of creating highly functional and intelligent robots based on mechatronics. The curriculum is divided into two main courses of study: fundamental study and highly specialized study. Fundamental study covers mathematics, physics, electrical and electronic engineering, instrumentation and control engineering, information engineering, and mechanical CAD. Highly specialized study covers topics such as high performance actuators, advanced sensing technology, high functional materials, and mechanisms. Students also engage in extensive experimentation and hands-on study.

The curriculum at the Department of Robotics revolves around three core areas of study: Robot Systems covering hardware and systems; Robot Intelligence covering robot task planning and intelligence; and Human-Machine covering biometrics and human-robot interface.

Mechanics courses lay the groundwork for study of mechanical systems. Lectures focus on both classical and analytical mechanics as a foundation for the design and control of machines and robots. Mechanics is taught with an emphasis on particles, particle systems, rigid bodies, and rigid body system, from the perspective of energy and laws of motion.

This involves the study of kinematics, statics, and dynamics of link mechanisms from which robots are configured. The study lays critical groundwork for motion analysis of robot mechanisms, development of motion control programs, and design of robot mechanisms.

Study of the kinematic and dynamic properties of articulated robots and their basic control methods. The study emphasizes methods for designing appropriate control systems based on factors such as the purpose of robot motion, robot hardware configuration, and robot prior knowledge.

Biomechanics is the study of living organisms from a mechanical perspective. Topics of study include biomaterials (such as bone and muscle) as hardware for biological systems; biomechanics such as in the areas of kinematics and motion dynamics; and calculation methods for biomechanics.

Sufficient experiments and exercises on robotics are incorporated in the curriculum for obtain basic knowledge and skills on robotics.

The Department of Robotics was introduced in magazine Happy Technology (2008/11/20).

We are publishing Robotics Textbook Series from Corona Pblishing Co., Ltd. as standard textbooks in robotics. These textbooks are based on our teaching of classes, exercises, and experiments in Department of Robotics.