Hitoshi Kitano

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Hitoshi Kitano is a robotics researcher whose work centers on the design and control of autonomous mobile robot groups for industrial conveyance and logistics. His major contributions lie in developing multi-robot systems that operate with a hybrid of individual intelligence and centralized oversight, enabling efficient, flexible transportation without fixed infrastructure. In his most-cited work, "Practical Design and Use of Transfer System by Autonomous Mobile Robot Group" (2010, 9 citations), Kitano introduced a transfer system where robots interpret their environment in real-time to generate running paths, significantly improving transport efficiency. His earlier "Conveyance system using autonomous mobile robots" (2009, 5 citations) further established a framework for monitoring and controlling multiple self-navigating robots. Though his citation counts are modest, Kitano’s research is notable for its practical, application-driven approach to automating material handling—a critical need in modern manufacturing and warehousing. His work demonstrates how autonomous mobile robots can replace traditional conveyor belts, offering scalability and adaptability. For students and researchers in robotics, Kitano’s studies provide a foundational example of integrating real-time environmental perception with multi-agent coordination, bridging the gap between theoretical swarm robotics and real-world industrial deployment.