Robots are beginning to be introduced into a wide range of everyday situations, aiming for automation, unmanned system or to collaborate with people. The needs for such robots are expected to further increase in the future.

This trend comes from the change of needs in social and industrial landscape. The aging society with a declining birthrate is causing workforce shortages and pressure to enhance working conditions.　
Robots are manufactured to address these problems by providing stability even with workforce shortages, or by performing tasks humans find difficult.

Robotics is the engineering required to manufacture robots to solve these problems, Kawasaki and Nikon are continuing to take on new challenges in this field.

Kawasaki manufactured and sold the first industrial robot in Japan, contributing to the world’s technological development in the robotics field. Youjirou Imai, Manager of 1st Research and Development Department, Robot Business Division at Kawasaki explains the history of Kawasaki in the robotics. “Kawasaki was the first company to introduce industrial robots in Japan. We have all the know-how from understanding the required capability of robots, to design and operate according to those requirements."

As Mr. Imai says, it was Kawasaki that introduced the first domestically produced industrial robot, the “Kawasaki Unimate 2000” in 1969, and since then the company has continued to introduce cutting-edge robots to the world for more than half a century.

Robot Technology is not only useful in the area of industrial robots. Tomomichi Ariga, who also belongs to the Robot Business Division at Kawasaki, says, “We want to bring joy and enrichment to everyone through robot technology in various ways. We have the technology to create not only industrial and medical robots, but also robots that work in close proximity to humans.” he says. One might say that robots have already become an indispensable part of our lives.

As a robot that can accompany people, Kawasaki is working on a robot arm. Robot arms are used in various industries, as industrial robots that can recreate human movements. The parts called encoders produced by Nikon play an important role to control the motion of the robot arm, in order to achieve movements with precision.

Nikon's encoders are known for their precision and accuracy, and are currently used by Kawasaki.

An encoder is a component that corresponds to the human nervous system, and is incorporated into the joints of a robot. The encoder used at Kawasaki is an absolute encoder* developed by Nikon and is an essential component of the company’s industrial robots.

*Encoder that provides the current absolute position information when the power is turned on.

Kawasaki has been a leading company in industrial robotics since the advent of the industry, and Nikon has been involved in the development of absolute encoders since the beginning of these industries. Shinichi Ebata of Nikon’s Customer Engagement Department, Digital Solutions Business Unit, says “what both companies have in common is a culture of challenge, and we will continue to take on new challenges through the co-creation of both companies.” This is the culture of pioneers who together built the foundation of the industry from scratch.

Tetsuya Yoshida, Chief Technology Officer of the Robot Business Division at Kawasaki, commented on the joint efforts and challenges of the two companies. “Nikon was the one who inspired us to take on new challenges. We were able to advance on the path we were aiming for because of the presence of Nikon side-by-side with Kawasaki. That is the kind of relationship we have with Nikon.”

Measurement and control sensors play an increasingly important role in the ever-advancing field of robotics. Encoders that support the precise motion of robots are now required to be highly accurate, highly functional, and highly reliable. To meet such needs, Nikon has developed encoders by combining its unique optics and precision technologies.

Mr.Ariga of Kawasaki explains the role and features of Nikon’s encoders as “Without encoders, precise robotic movement is impossible. What makes Nikon's encoders remarkably unique is that they are very compact.”

Encoders are the Products of the Optics and Precision Technologies that Nikon has accumulated over the years through its cameras and lithography systems. How did Nikon’s encoders achieve such miniaturization? Haruka Itabashi of Nikon’s 1st Development Department, Digital Solutions Business Unit explains that the reason lies in the adoption of the “M-sequence pattern” and “reflective optics”.

The "M-sequence pattern" is Nikon’s original pattern that enables the absolute position of data to be determined by one-track, which was not possible with the conventional Gray code pattern, thereby enabling encoder miniaturization.

Another feature is the “reflective optics”. With the previous transmission type encoders, the photodetector, disk, and LED were constructed separately, but in the reflective type structure the photodetector and LED has been integrated, reducing the thickness to roughly half that of a transmission type. The successful reduction in thickness allows further flexibility in designing, allowing to manufacture a wider range of robots. Mr.Ariga of Kawasaki also noted the trust he places in Nikon, saying, “Nikon has offered us comprehensive technical testing, also with robust technical support.”

The Nikon Digital Solutions Division, which produces high-precision and high-functionality encoders, is an open organization that enables rapid decision-making and product development, and has a structure that can quickly accommodate the world’s needs.

Currently, a variety of robots are being introduced into situations close to our daily lives, such as in nursing care and in logistics. What kind of robots are needed in society and what kind of robots are actually being used? Understanding the needs of society is a crucial perspective for developing superior encoders.

Mr.Yoshida of Kawasaki talks about the progress and prospects of robotics in the future. “Kawasaki is striving to become a comprehensive robot manufacturer. Robots that work in spaces where people are present must be equipped with both sensory and visual perception capabilities. We would like to continue to create a new world together with Nikon, since sensing technology and camera technology are Nikon’s unique specialty.”

Nikon's Precision Technologies have earned the trust of Kawasaki and many other customers, significantly contributing to the development and progress of robot technology. With the aim of becoming “a key technology solutions company in a global society where humans and machines co-create seamlessly”, Nikon will continue to support the advancement of robots and pave the way for the future of humanity.

About Nikon’s “Encoders"

In the future, robots will work alongside you

*Title and work duties are those at the time of interview
*Nikon’s Digital Solutions Division was merged with Industrial Metrology Business Unit to form Industrial Solutions Division effective April 1, 2024.