Takayuki Ito Elected President of the International Federation of Robotics
October 16, 2024 | International Federation of RoboticsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Takayuki Ito has been elected as the new President of the International Federation of Robotics. Ito will represent the IFR alongside his newly elected Vice President, Jane Heffner.
Takayuki Ito of Fanuc Corporation, who previously held the position of Vice President, succeeds Marina Bill of ABB who has served the rotating post since 2022. "I am proud to continue the work of my predecessor, Marina Bill, who has been a great ambassador for the world of robotics. We are witnessing rapid change in the automation of industrial and service sectors around the world. Together with Jane Heffner of Mobile Industrial Robots as the new Vice President of the IFR, I look forward to our mission," said Takayuki Ito.
More than 40 years of experience in robotics
Takayuki Ito has a track record of more than 40 years in the robotics industry. He currently holds the position of Chief Technical Advisor at the Japanese robot manufacturer Fanuc Corporation based in Oshino, Japan. Since 1981, Takayuki Ito has worked at the Japanese robot manufacturer in various positions: In 1997, he became Executive Vice President for Fanuc Robotics in North America. He returned to the Fanuc headquarters in Japan in 2002, taking on the role of General Manager for the Robot Technology Center.
New Vice President Jane Heffner
The IFR’s new Vice President, Jane Heffner, has more than 20 years of experience in technology-driven industries, including automation, robotics, automotive, and aerospace. She currently serves as Vice President Global Sales at Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), a leading manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots. In this role, based in Detroit, Heffner oversees the company’s global sales strategy and execution. Before joining MiR, Heffner held leadership roles at ABB Robotics and other major industrial companies.
Suggested Items
President Trump Secures $200B Investment from Micron Technology for Memory Chip Manufacturing in the United States
06/16/2025 | U.S. Department of CommerceThe Department of Commerce announced that Micron Technology, Inc., the leading American semiconductor memory company, plans to invest $200 billion in semiconductor manufacturing and R&D to dramatically expand American memory chip production.
OSI Systems Receives $47 Million Services Order for Security Inspection Systems
05/30/2025 | BUSINESS WIREOSI Systems, Inc. announced that its Security division received a $47 million order from a U.S. based customer to provide ongoing maintenance service for its installed base of Rapiscan® inspection systems that are utilized for screening baggage, cargo and vehicles.
Airbus, CNES and VAST Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening EO Capabilities in Vietnam
05/27/2025 | AirbusAirbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency (CNES), and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) have signed a Declaration of Intent (DoI) to strengthen their longstanding cooperation in the field of Earth observation, building on the success of the VNREDSat-1 space programme.
Saab’s CEO Micael Johansson elected President of ASD
05/26/2025 | SaabThe Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), has elected Saab CEO Micael Johansson as its new President and Chairman of the Board.
SINEXCEL, Phoenix Contact Sign Global Strategic Partnership Agreement
05/23/2025 | PRNewswireSINEXCEL has officially signed a global strategic partnership agreement with Phoenix Contact at the PHIIDF (Phoenix Contact Innovation and Industry Development Forum) in Shenzhen.