Hiroaki Sakurai

About

Hiroaki Sakurai is a leading researcher in the field of rehabilitation robotics, with a primary focus on wearable robotic exoskeletons (WREs) for gait reconstruction in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). His major contributions include a comprehensive literature review that enables evidence-based decision-making in selecting the optimal WRE based on residual motor function—a foundational work that has garnered 52 citations. Sakurai has also advanced fall prevention systems by analyzing the critical distance between WRE users and four-wheeled walkers during gait on level and slope conditions, providing essential safety insights for real-world deployment. Beyond exoskeletons, his innovative application of companion robots to alleviate depression symptoms in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 state of emergency demonstrates the breadth of his impact on assistive technology. With a career dedicated to bridging robotics and clinical rehabilitation, Sakurai’s work is shaping safer, more effective mobility solutions for individuals with neurological impairments, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of human-robot interaction in healthcare.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Wearable robotic exoskeleton for gait reconstruction in patients with spinal cord injury: A literature review

   52 citations · 2021
2. 2
   Changes in Distance between a Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton User and Four-Wheeled Walker during Gait in Level and Slope Conditions: Implications for Fall Prevention Systems

   3 citations · 2023
3. 3
   The use of a companion robot to improve depression symptoms in a community-dwelling older adult during the coronavirus disease 2019 state of emergency.

   2 citations · 2023

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links