S. Yasutomi

Papers

Total Citations

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About

S. Yasutomi is a pioneer in bio-inspired autonomous mobile robotics, with research spanning image processing, pedestrian detection, and robot motion control. His most influential work, "Image processing and motion control of a lane mark drawing robot" (2002, 11 citations), introduced a template-matching method for detecting and following faded lane markings on asphalt roads, enabling reliable outdoor navigation. This built on his earlier development of the Harunobu-4 mobile robot (2003, 10 citations), which applied a "stereo-typed motion by sign pattern" strategy drawn from ethology—the study of lower animal behavior. In this approach, robots execute fixed action patterns triggered by environmental sign patterns, allowing robust navigation without complex planning. Yasutomi also contributed to computer vision with "A method of pedestrian detection based on rhythm of walking" (1996, 6 citations), which used periodic foot motion and gait characteristics to distinguish pedestrians from other moving objects—a novel approach for its time. His foundational work "Self-contained mobile robot in campus road" (1987, 3 citations) outlined the SbS (Sign-pattern Stereotyped motion) strategy, where the robot follows a travel instruction sheet listing sign patterns and fixed actions. Though citation counts are modest, Yasutomi’s work represents an early, creative synthesis of biology and robotics, influencing subsequent research in behavior-based navigation and outdoor autonomous systems.