Hiroki Katayama

Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Hiroki Katayama is a robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of automation, perception, and intelligent manipulation. His research focuses on enabling robots to operate effectively in real-world environments, tackling challenges that range from waste management automation to the detection of visually ambiguous objects such as mirrors and transparent surfaces. Katayama's most recognized contribution is his 2021 paper on robotic waste sorting, which has garnered 33 citations and proposes an integrated system combining agile robotic manipulation with a quickly trainable object detector. This work directly addresses the growing challenge of labor shortages in waste management industries, offering a practical path toward replacing human sorters with adaptive, intelligent robotic systems. His approach to rapidly trainable detection reflects a broader commitment to making automation accessible and deployable in dynamic, unpredictable settings. Complementing this, Katayama has explored innovative sensor modalities beyond conventional vision, notably using sound wave reflection to estimate the azimuth angle of transparent and reflective objects — a clever solution to a longstanding limitation in robot perception. Together, his contributions demonstrate a thoughtful, multi-disciplinary approach to advancing robot autonomy in environments that have historically been difficult for machines to navigate.