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.
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.
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.
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.
Robotics classes for kids are popular.
Means 'robot technology'. Use this when emphasizing the technological aspect rather than the academic field.
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.
He majors in robotics.
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.
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.
Robotics is a branch of mechanical engineering.
This company is growing rapidly in the robotics field.
The latest robotics technology is on display.