Papers
14
Total Citations
342
H-Index
8
About
Hayato Omori is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work centers on bio-inspired locomotion systems, with a particular focus on peristaltic crawling mechanisms modeled after earthworm movement. His most significant contributions lie in developing innovative mobile robots capable of navigating confined, unstructured environments — from underground pipes to the subsurface of other planets. Omori's early foundational work on earthworm-inspired robots, including his studies on locomotion and turning patterns in flexible-unit crawling systems (2008, 64 citations) and the underground explorer robot (2009, 68 citations), established him as a leading voice in soft-bodied robotic locomotion. These designs exploit the earthworm's ability to maximize ground contact while minimizing the space required for movement — a critical advantage in excavation scenarios. Building on this foundation, Omori extended his research toward planetary exploration, developing subsurface explorer robots engineered to excavate lunar and planetary soil (2010, 55 citations; 2012, 47 citations). His robots integrate propulsion and excavation units designed to operate in extreme extraterrestrial environments, representing a compelling intersection of robotics, aerospace engineering, and geotechnical science. With over 300 cumulative citations, Omori's body of work has meaningfully shaped both pipe inspection robotics and the emerging field of planetary subsurface exploration, offering researchers a compelling biological blueprint for next-generation autonomous systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1An underground explorer robot based on peristaltic crawling of earthworms68 citations · 2009
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- 3Excavation Mechanism for a Planetary Underground Explorer Robot55 citations · 2010
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- 7Development of Mobile Robots Based on Peristaltic Crawling of an Earthworm17 citations · 2010
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