PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the fundamental concept of Honda's robotized friction stir welding (FSW) technology, its implementation to mass produced vehicles and the future impact on the automobile industry.Design/methodology/approachBased on an interview with engineers who developed the new technology at Honda Automobile R&D Center, the report describes the secret of the new technology.FindingsThe robotized FSW technology is the world's first to weld dissimilar metals for mass produced vehicles, and makes it possible to use standard industrial robots in FSW process.Originality/valueThe report is the first one outside Japan that details the new technology.

PurposeThe paper aims to report on Toyota's violin‐playing robot and Toyota's strategy for its “partner robot” business for the future.Design/methodology/approachThe work is based on an interview with the R&D team of Toyota.FindingsThe paper finds that, in view of Toyota's robot business as a core business for the future, the company is devoting huge resources in the development of fundamental technologies that should support service robotics. The violin robot is not the goal of Toyota, but only a demonstration of Toyota's ongoing research and development on dexterity.Originality/valueThe paper elaborates how the violin‐playing robot plays a violin.

PurposeAims to report on a new trend of research and development in the wireless capsule endoscope.Design/methodology/approachPresents a conceptual design of a wireless capsule endoscope having new features like navigation control, self‐propulsion, higher rate image transmission, acquisition of samples, application of medications and so forth.FindingsThe basic principle has been verified by experiments. Seems promising.Research limitations/implicationsYet to need a lot of effort for commercialization.Practical implicationsIf successful, it will provide another way of least invasive medical treatment that must reduce pain of patients drastically.Originality/valueTaking advantage of the state‐of‐the‐art micro‐technology it suggests a further step beyond the current wireless capsule endoscope.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe new walking assist devices Honda is developing. Design/methodology/approach -The exhibition, press release and interview are described. The features of the walking assist devices are presented. Findings -The paper finds that Honda is developing walking assist devices for elderly and disabled people based on its expertise in autonomous walking obtained through the development of Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. Originality/value -This paper highlights the value of the walking assist devices.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the use of robots in the Japanese food industry, today and tomorrow.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on research papers, exhibitions, press releases and interviews.FindingsThe paper finds that food palletizing and packaging are the popular applications at present. Food processing and handling are emerging. Agricultural and farming applications are yet to come in spite of intensive on‐going R&D efforts.Originality/valueThis paper presents issues to overcome for the robotization of the industry in the future.