This paper discusses those study themes considered essential in responding to the expectations that are mostly likely to be generated by Japanese society in regard to robots in the coming one or two decades.

First, for the purpose of understanding the current structure and status of research and development concerning robotics, statistical data based on the responses obtained from universities and national and public research institutes will be shown together with an illustration of the recent patent trends related to industrial robots. Then, an overview on the results of forecasts regarding robot technology by governmental bodies will be presented in an effort to predict the technological as well as social needs surrounding robots. Lastly, tasks of high contribution value for society requiring large-scale research and development systems will be both identified and clarified.