H. Tanaka

Fukuoka Industrial Technology Center, University of Lethbridge, Tokyo Metropolitan University

Papers

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About

H. Tanaka’s research career has been defined by a pioneering focus on industrial robotics, particularly in the areas of force control, human-robot interaction, and the automation of complex manufacturing tasks. A central contribution is the development of a polishing robot system that uses a joystick-controlled teaching method, detailed in their 2002 paper (18 citations). This work introduced an impedance model following force control with a position/orientation compensator, enabling an industrial robot to polish objects with a desired contact force and orientation—a significant step in making robotic finishing work more precise and accessible. Tanaka’s earlier work, "Human implications of robotization in the worksite: the Japanese experience" (1985, 5 citations), provides a foundational perspective on the societal and workplace impacts of automation, reflecting a long-standing interest in the human dimensions of technology. More recently, Tanaka has tackled the notoriously difficult challenge of manipulating deformable objects, as seen in the 2016 paper on robotic end effectors for rubber hose insertion (3 citations). This work addresses a critical gap in manufacturing automation, where the flexibility of materials like rubber has historically resisted robotic handling. With a career spanning from the early days of robotization to contemporary issues in flexible automation, Tanaka’s research offers a unique blend of practical control engineering and a human-centered view of technological change.