Hiroki Shigemune
Papers
23
Total Citations
494
H-Index
13
About
Hiroki Shigemune is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work sits at the fascinating intersection of soft robotics, printed electronics, and novel actuation systems. He is perhaps best known for founding the concept of "paper mechatronics," a field that merges printed robotics with paper engineering to create affordable, lightweight, and rapidly fabricated robotic systems. His 2016 paper on self-folding origami robots driven by electrothermal actuators has garnered 122 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in printable and foldable robot design. Shigemune's research spans an impressive range of innovative actuator technologies, including dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, and electrochemical dual transducers for self-sensing soft robots. His kirigami and origami robot platforms demonstrate how desktop fabrication tools like cutting plotters and inkjet printers can democratize robot manufacturing. His work on untethered DEA-driven systems and EHD-powered millimeter-scale robots further pushes the boundaries of autonomous soft robotics. With over 400 cumulative citations, Shigemune's contributions are shaping the future of accessible, deformable, and intelligent robotic systems — making him an essential figure for any researcher exploring soft robotics or flexible electronics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3Printed Paper Robot Driven by Electrostatic Actuator53 citations · 2017
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- 7Active suction cup actuated by ElectroHydroDynamics phenomenon25 citations · 2017
- 8Untethered rotational system with a stacked dielectric elastomer actuator24 citations · 2021
- 9Electrochemical Dual Transducer for Fluidic Self-Sensing Actuation18 citations · 2022
- 10Directional and velocity control of active droplets using a rigid-frame16 citations · 2019