Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Junji Hirasawa is a robotics researcher specializing in rescue and disaster response robotics, with a particular focus on stair-climbing mechanisms and rough-terrain mobility. His most significant contribution is the development of the “SMART-III” (Simple Mechanism Adaptive for Rough Terrain), a novel stair-climbing system using passive crawlers that enables rescue robots to navigate complex environments with minimal mechanical complexity. This work, published in 2016, established the foundation for his subsequent research on improving robot mobility on step-fields standardized by NIST, earning 11 citations. Hirasawa’s approach emphasizes simplicity and reliability—demonstrated by his design of a stair-climbing robot powered by a single motor—making rescue robots more practical for real-world deployment in collapsed buildings. He has also contributed to decommissioning robotics, developing a multi-articulated tracked vehicle with a sensorless salvaging bucket for the “Hairo Sozo Robocon” contest. Beyond hardware, Hirasawa explores educational methods, applying Problem Based Learning (PBL) with robots as teaching materials in KOSEN (technical college) programs. His work bridges mechanical design, dynamic analysis, and practical robotics education, with cumulative citations reflecting steady impact in the specialized field of rescue robotics.