Special Issue on Robotics and Mechatronics Technology for Sports, Exercise, and Health Care (Part 1)

Robotics, mechatronics, and digital technologies are rapidly advancing in the fields of sports, exercise, and healthcare, and their applications are expanding daily. In part 1 of our special issue, we focus on the innovative contributions of cutting-edge technologies in various domains. Robotics technology is crucial in sports and exercise training as it monitors individual movements and forms, provides user feedback, and enables effective training. The development of robots to enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of sports techniques is a key element directly linked to performance improvements. Robotics and mechatronics provide new possibilities for treatment and rehabilitation in healthcare. Developing beneficial systems for medical professionals and patients contributes to increased precision in surgery and productive support in rehabilitation. Power assistance and motion augmentation are witnessing advancements that prolong individual capabilities and achieve better performance. These studies may reduce the physical burden of daily activities and specific tasks, thereby enhancing efficiency. Therefore, studies on haptics and sensory feedback are important. Efforts to improve user interfaces through virtual haptic experiences represent a promising new application of digital technology. The studies included in part 1 of this special issue present recent technological trends and practical examples of sports, exercise, and healthcare and aim to provide valuable information and inspire the readers. We hope that these studies will serve as significant steps toward future technological advancement and social implementation.