Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Masato Imai is a leading researcher in autonomous service robotics, with a focus on enabling intelligent navigation and human-robot interaction in large-scale, real-world environments. His work centers on integrating cutting-edge satellite and communication technologies—specifically the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and 5G mobile networks—to solve the fundamental challenge of reliable outdoor localization for robots. Imai’s most impactful contribution is the development of a fully autonomous tour guide robot system deployed at a major theme park, a project that demonstrates how robots can take on dangerous, dirty, or demanding jobs in complex, crowded spaces. His 2020 paper on this system, with 7 citations, details how QZSS-based positioning allows robots to navigate accurately without pre-mapped infrastructure. He further advanced this concept in 2021 by incorporating 5G for real-time co-experience, enabling remote users to share the robot’s perspective. Imai also pioneered the "Portable" sensor terminal, a modular device that transforms any personal mobility robot into an intelligent agent within an informationally structured environment. Through these innovations, Imai is shaping the future of service robots that work safely alongside people in public spaces.