Fuzzy-neuro-chaos: research and industrial applications in Japan

Japanese industrial research and applications in the field of fuzzy, neuro and chaos have been surveyed. In the middle of 1980's the fuzzy technology became a central issue in Japan for mainly process control, and the year 1990 became a so called "fuzzy-home-electronics year". These technologies are mainly based on the if-then fuzzy inference rules with instrumentation (i.e. sensor and actuator) engineering. Then the neural network technology was merged in fuzzy technology in 1991 and again the technology was incorporated in many consumer products in Japan. In 1993 chaos technologies were also taken part in research and development of such high-tech issues. Very recently other technologies such as chaos, genetic algorithms and artificial life are also being investigated by company engineers in Japan. These kinds of practical, technological aspects in Japan are discussed and the future trends are also indicated by giving many examples.