Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Yusuke Saruta’s research career bridges two fascinating domains: legged robotics and large-scale telescope engineering. His early work on the QUARTET III robot (21 citations) pioneered a unique dual-mode walking system, where direct-drive motors enabled both active and passive locomotion. This control law innovation on slight slopes laid groundwork for energy-efficient bipedal walking—a concept still relevant in modern robotics. Later, Saruta pivoted to astronomical infrastructure, leading the preliminary design of the Thirty Meter Telescope’s (TMT) structure system (13 citations). As a key figure at NAOJ, he oversaw Mitsubishi Electric’s comprehensive design of the telescope’s massive steel framework. His most impactful contribution, however, is the force control technology for TMT’s Segment Handling System (6 citations). This robotic system safely exchanges 1.44-meter mirror segments with micron-level precision, using real-time force feedback to prevent damage during handling. Saruta’s work demonstrates how robotics principles—from passive dynamics to compliant control—can solve challenges across scales, from walking robots to the world’s largest optical telescopes.