Akira Kato

Waseda University, Aichi Institute of Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Akira Kato is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics and human-machine interfaces, whose work bridges the gap between flexible electronics and biomechanical sensing. His most impactful contribution is the development of an **ultrathin epidermal strain sensor** (2017, 53 citations), which uses an elastomer nanosheet with inkjet-printed conductive polymer (PEDOT:PSS) to achieve unprecedented conformability to human skin. This innovation minimizes mechanical interference during natural skin deformation, enabling more accurate and comfortable wearable sensing for healthcare and robotics applications. Kato’s research also extends to **multi-robot cooperative manipulation** (2002, 15 citations), where he introduced a decentralized control approach for robots to collaboratively handle unknown dynamic objects—a foundational concept in swarm robotics. Additionally, his work on **joint angle estimation via muscle bulge movement** (2015, 14 citations) explores non-invasive bio-signal processing for prosthetic control, leveraging forearm muscle deformation as an alternative to traditional electromyography. With a career spanning soft electronics, cooperative robotics, and biomechatronics, Kato’s interdisciplinary contributions continue to influence the design of next-generation wearable sensors and assistive devices.