K. Minami

Papers

Total Citations

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About

K. Minami is a robotics researcher whose work centers on the development of modular, self-reconfiguring robotic systems, specifically focusing on "cellular robots" that can autonomously assemble into functional mechanical structures. Their major contribution lies in the design and hardware realization of a slide motion mechanism that enables these identical robotic units to support large mechanical loads while forming collective structures. This foundational work, detailed in their most-cited paper "Group robots forming a mechanical structure" (2004, 19 citations), addresses critical challenges in distributed robotics by proposing energy-efficient methods for structural formation. Minami's research bridges theoretical concepts of swarm intelligence with practical engineering constraints, demonstrating how simple, homogeneous robots can cooperate to create complex, load-bearing architectures without centralized control. Their 2008 follow-up study further refined these principles, exploring the mechanical stability and coordination of cellular robot assemblies. While Minami's citation counts reflect a specialized but impactful niche, their work has contributed to the broader fields of modular robotics, distributed automation, and adaptive manufacturing systems—offering foundational insights for researchers developing resilient, scalable robotic collectives capable of physical self-assembly.