Yutaro Ohshima

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Yutaro Ohshima is a robotics researcher whose work centers on assistive technology and autonomous manipulation, with a particular focus on meal support systems for individuals with limited mobility. His major contribution lies in developing a robotic system that autonomously handles non-rigid solid food—a notoriously difficult challenge in robotics due to the unpredictable shape and texture of food items. By integrating a laser range finder (LRF) with a manipulator holding a spoon, Ohshima’s system can accurately measure the 3D coordinates of food surfaces and determine optimal scooping points, enabling reliable and safe feeding assistance. This work, most notably presented in his 2013 paper (20 citations) and its 2016 follow-up (5 citations), demonstrates a practical application of sensor-guided manipulation in real-world, unstructured environments. Ohshima’s research bridges the gap between robotic perception and dexterous manipulation, offering a tangible solution to improve quality of life for those who require assistance with eating. His contributions are a valuable step toward more capable, human-centered assistive robots.