Akihiko Honda

Sumitomo Precision Products (Japan), Tokyo Institute of Technology

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About

Akihiko Honda is a robotics researcher whose work spans human-robot interaction, planetary exploration, and cross-country mobility. His key research areas include multi-camera human tracking systems, transformable locomotion mechanisms, and rocket-propelled exploration robots. Honda's most significant contribution is the development of the "Jumping Scouter," a lightweight rocket-powered robot designed for planetary exploration that can theoretically traverse 43 kilometers using only 98 grams of black powder—a concept that could revolutionize terrain-independent exploration of moons and planets. He also pioneered a three-dimensional human tracking method that fuses data from two cameras using OpenPose, enabling mobile robots to follow human targets with enhanced spatial awareness. Additionally, Honda developed a cross-country robot with four transformable crawlers capable of adapting its body shape to overcome large rocks and high steps, addressing limitations of traditional wheeled, tracked, or legged designs. His work on the Jumping Scouter has been cited for its innovative approach to long-distance planetary traversal, while his tracking and mobility research continues to influence autonomous navigation in challenging environments.