Translation guide
The field of study and industry related to robots. In Japanese, the English loanword ロボティクス is common in academic/technical contexts, while ロボット工学 is the native term for 'robot engineering'. For general reference to the robotics field or industry, ロボット産業 or simply ロボット may be used depending on context.
Referring to robotics as a scientific or engineering discipline.
The direct loanword from English, widely used in academic and technical contexts. It is the most common term in modern Japanese for the field of robotics.
彼はロボティクスの研究をしている。
He is doing research in robotics.
Literally 'robot engineering'. This is the traditional Japanese term for the academic discipline. It is slightly more formal and may be preferred in certain engineering contexts.
ロボット工学は機械工学の一分野です。
Robotics is a branch of mechanical engineering.
Referring to the commercial or industrial sector involving robots.
Means 'robot industry'. Use this when talking about the business side of robotics, including manufacturing, sales, and services.
日本のロボット産業は世界をリードしている。
Japan's robotics industry leads the world.
Can also refer to the industry, especially in contexts where the line between academic research and commercial application is blurred.
この会社はロボティクス分野で急成長している。
This company is growing rapidly in the robotics field.
When 'robotics' is used loosely to mean robots or things related to robots.
In many casual contexts, Japanese speakers simply use ロボット (robot) where English might use 'robotics'. For example, 'robotics competition' is often ロボットコンテスト.
子供向けのロボット教室が人気だ。
Robotics classes for kids are popular.
Means 'robot technology'. Use this when emphasizing the technological aspect rather than the academic field.
最新のロボット技術が展示されている。
The latest robotics technology is on display.
ロボティクス is the modern loanword and is very common in academic and media contexts. ロボット工学 is the traditional term and is still widely used, especially in engineering departments. They are largely interchangeable, but ロボティクス may sound slightly more trendy or interdisciplinary.
彼はロボティクスを専攻している。
He majors in robotics.
彼はロボット工学を専攻している。
He majors in robot engineering.
In compound nouns, Japanese often uses ロボット where English uses 'robotics'. For example, 'robotics club' is ロボット部 or ロボット研究会, not ロボティクス部. When in doubt, check if the phrase is about the activity of building/using robots rather than the academic field.