is a Japanese scientist who has played a major role in cutting-edge research in biomedical engineering. He has been responsible for many advances in the field of robotics.
A longtime professor at Waseda University, he has led teams that have developed an intelligent mobile robot and a remote control manipulator, among many other devices. He made a significant contribution to the development of a medical treatment support system that helps in the recovery of human functions.
He has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations and has helped establish UNESCO's World Academy of Biomedical Technology (WABT). He is currently doing "research that fuses cutting-edge science and engineering and sports sciences and is focused on the impending arrival of the super-aged society."
Education Fujie majored in mechanical engineering at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, and received a master's degree in Engineering in 1971. He received a Ph.D. in Engineering from the same institution in 1999.
Ph.D. degree in Engineering, 1999, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan Master's degree in Engineering, 1971, Major in mechanical engineering at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Career From 1971 to 1984, Fujie worked as a Researcher at the Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory at Hitachi Ltd. He was Senior Researcher in the same laboratory from 1984 to 1995, and from 1995 to 1999 was Principal Researcher and project leader of the Medical and Welfare Apparatus Development Project in that laboratory. From 1999 to 2001, he was Head Researcher in the same lab and Director of the Medical and Welfare Apparatus Development Research Laboratory. Since 2001, he has been Professor at School of Science and Engineering at Waseda University.
A 2008 Washington Post article reported that Japan, with a shortage of young workers, and a disinclination to take in immigrants, was "marching into the depopulated future with the help of robots", many of which were "on display...at the Great Robot Exhibition in Tokyo's National Museum of Nature and Science." The Post paraphrased Fujie as telling foreign journalists that "service robots could help reduce government spending on health care, take over many dreary service jobs and prop up Japan's 'societal vitality.'"
Research Interests Robotics Robotic surgery Surgical Segment Navigator Medical, rehabilitation and assistive engineering Computer-assisted surgery Control engineering Intelligent mechatronics
Research projects “Global Robot Academia” for MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) Global COE (Center of Excellence) Program (2008-) “Research and Development of a Nano-intelligent Technical Device for High Risk Intrauterine Fetal Surgery” for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2005-2008) “Project for Practical Application of Robots which Support Human Beings” for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2005-2008) “Consolidated Research Institute for Advanced Science and Medical Care (ASMeW)” for MEXT Super COE Program (2004-2009) “Development of Support System for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Microsurgery” for MEXT Knowledge Cluster Initiative Program (2004-2009) “The Innovative Research on Symbiosis Technologies for Human and Robots in the Elderly Dominated Society” for MEXT 21st Century COE Program (2003-2008) “Research and Development of Analysis, Support and Alternative Equipment for Physical Function” for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2003-2008) “WABOT-HOUSE Project” (contract research) (2002-2007) “Research and development of a robotic system for Microsurgery: a realization of futuristic medical treatment” for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2002-2007) “Human-Robot Coexistence and Coordination System Type II” for the Health and Welfare Ministry (contract research) (2000-2002) “Integrated Support System for Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease” for the Health and Welfare Ministry (contract research) (1999-2004) “Surgery Support System for Disease Such as Brain Tumors” for the Health and Welfare Ministry(contract research) (1995-2000) “AI Ambulation Exercise System” for the Health and Welfare Ministry (contract research) (1992-1995) Development of a manipulator for a space project (1985-1987) Development of a bipedal robot for EXPO ‘85 in Tsukuba, Japan (1983-1985) Development of a robot hand, an application of shape-memory alloy (1983-1986)
Teaching Professor in the School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University (2001-present) Part-time lecturer on Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kobe University (2002) Part-time lecturer in the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo (2002) Visiting lecturer on "Robotics" at Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and Seoul National University (1999) Part-time lecturer on "Introduction to mechanical engineering" in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ibaraki University (1999-2001) Visiting lecturer in the “TARA Project” in the Graduate School of SIE, University of Tsukuba (1992-2001) Occasional lecturer on "Introduction to Robotics" in the Department of Precision Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo (1990-1995) Part-time lecturer on "Introduction to Robotics" in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science (1984)
Other professional activities 2010, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, General Co-Chair 1991–present, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / RSJ, International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Steering/Advisory Committee 2009, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Workshop Organaizer 2009, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / RSJ, International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Harashima Award Nomination Committee, Program Committee(Associate Editor) 2005, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / RSJ, International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Regional Program Committee 2004, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, Industrial Activity Board, National Chair 2004, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / RSJ, International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Organizing Committee and Program Committee 2003, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Technical Program Committee 2003, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / RSJ, International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, General Vice Chair 2002–present, The International Society for Computer Aided Surgery, Trustee 2002, JSME, Head of the Robotics Mechatronics Division 1991-2003, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / RSJ, International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Best Paper Award Committee 1999, IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics (SMC), Program Committee and Local Conference Committee 1990, IEEE International Workshop on Intelligent Robots and Systems, General Chair 1990, Established UNESCO WABT (the World Academy of Biomedical Technology within UNESCO); appointed committee member for Japan
Lectures and speeches Fujie has been an invited speaker at the 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2009 IEEE International Conferences on Robotics and Automation. He has also been an invited speaker at the 2009 International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, the 2008 Asian Conference on Computer Aided Surgery, the 2008 Korea University Symposium, the 2007 General Assembly of the Japan Medical Congress, the 2006 International Symposium on the Development of Surgical Support Systems, the 2004 IEEE Industrial Activity Board, and the 2003 General Assembly of the Japan Medical Congress.
Membership Fujie is a member of the following professional organizations:
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (Fellow, 2010 Vice Chairperson) The Robotic Society of Japan (Fellow) The International Society for Computer Aided Surgery (Trustee) The Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (Steering committee of System Integration division) The Japan Society of Computer Aided Surgery (Vice Chairperson) The Japanese Society for Wellbeing Science and Assistive Technology (Trustee) The Japan Society of Life Support Technology (Trustee) The Society of Biomechanisms Japan The Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering International Society for Gerontechnology
Honors and awards Fujie has earned the following honors.
2008, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society / IEEE Industrial Electronic Society / RSJ / SICE, IROS Harashima Award for Innovative Technologies, for "contributions in rehabilitation and medical robotics" 2007, The Japan Robot Award of the Year (hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan / The Japan Machinery Federation), Jury's Choice Prize 2007, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Robotics and Mechatronics Division, Contribution Award 2006, The Robotic Society of Japan (RSJ), Fellow 2006, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Robotics and Mechatronics Division, ROBOMEC Award 2005, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Robotics and Mechatronics Division, Achievement Award 2004, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Robotics and Mechatronics Division, Contribution Award 2002, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Machine Design and Tribology Division, Technical Achievement Award 2002, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Robotics and Mechatronics Division, ROBOMEC Award 2002, Nikkei BP Technology Award (Medical/Biotechnology division), Development of Minimally Invasive Surgery Strategy System 2000, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), Fellow 2000, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), JSME Medal for New Technology, "Development of Walking Support Technology for Elderly Independence" 2000, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), Robotics and Mechatronics Division, Technical Achievement Award 1999, The Robotic Society of Japan (RSJ), Technical Innovations Awards, Development of Compliance Control Type Ambulation Exercise Equipment for Supporting Elderly Independent Living 1994, Notable Invention Award from the Science and Technology Agency Director-General, Walking Support Equipment 1991, Atomic Energy Society of Japan's Technology Development Award: robot for hazardous environments, Research and Development of Atomic Power Robot
Selected papers Sekiguchi, Y.; Kobayashi, Y.; Watanabe, H.; Tomono, Y. In vivo experiments of a surgical robot with vision field control for single port endoscopic surgery. Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC, 2011 Annual International Conference of the IEEE. Page(s): 7045 – 7048. Fujie and his co-authors proposed "a surgical endoscopic robot for SPS with dynamic vision control, the endoscopic view being manipulated by a master controller." Watanabe, H.; Kanou, K.; Kobayashi, Y.; Fujie, M.G. Development of a "steerable drill" for ACL reconstruction to create the arbitrary trajectory of a bone tunnel. 2011 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems. Page(s): 955 – 960. Fujie and his co-authors described their development of "a steerable drill for ACL reconstruction to avoid LCL injury in the process of making a bone tunnel".