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This paper describes the development of a variety of robot welding and grinding systems. Also discusses the benefits of running arc welding cables within the body of the robot and the use of a computer controlled welder. Also covers digitally controlled spot welding and communication with a supervisory computer. Finally, discusses de‐burring and the opportunities for further development in this area.

Reports on trends in the design and application of robots in the Japanese automotive industry.

Surveys the business practices of Japanese automotive manufacturers and their plants in Japan and overseas

Since, the 1990s, Japanese auto‐manufactures have expanded their main business activity in the overseas countries where they had to construct new factories with robot equipment. It was difficult because many new problems were experienced. But the production engineers devised the approach of improving efficiency in domestic factories and then quickly constructing overseas factories based on their experience and connections formed in the 80s. Incremental improvements in practices and the application of off‐line programming characterise recent developments.

Highlights the technical and strategic developments by major robot users.

Describes recent trends and developments in the application of robots within the Japanese automotive industry. Highlights the importance of the development of electric servo spot welding guns and digitally controlled arc welders. Also describes the use of cooperating robots and other robot developments that have resulted in the elimination of specialised mechanisms and parts transfer systems. Stresses the importance of international collaboration for the further development of Japanese robot industries.

We propose herein a motion detection artificial vision model which uses analog electronic circuits. The proposed model is comprised of four layers. The first layer is a differentiation circuit of the large capacitor and resistance (CR) coefficient, and the second layer is a differentiation circuit of the small CR coefficient. Thus, the speed of the movement object is detected. The third layer is a difference circuit for detecting the movement direction, and the fourth layer is a multiple circuit for detecting pure motion output. The model was shown to be capable of detecting a movement object in the image. Moreover, the proposed model can be used to detect two or more objects, which is advantageous for detection in an environment in which several objects are moving in multiple directions simultaneously. From a technological viewpoint, the proposed model facilitates clarification of the mechanism of the biomedical vision system, which should enable design and simulation by an analog electric circuit for detecting the movement and speed of objects.