Hitoshi Akami

Tokyo Kasei University, Institute of Polymers

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Hitoshi Akami is a pioneering researcher in robotic manipulation, with a specialized focus on the automated handling of flexible materials, particularly cloth. His work addresses the fundamental challenge of enabling robots to interact with non-rigid, deformable objects—a task that remains difficult for modern robotics. Akami’s major contributions center on the development of a novel robot hand equipped with a strain gauge sensor, designed to perform delicate operations such as picking up a single piece of cloth from a stack, judging its thickness, and controlling its tension. His 2002 paper, "Robot hand with sensor for handling cloth," which has garnered 31 citations, stands as his most influential work, demonstrating a two-fingered hand with two degrees of freedom capable of these precise tasks. Earlier foundational studies from 1989 and 1991, cited 7 and 11 times respectively, laid the groundwork by exploring the hand’s multifunctional capabilities. Akami’s research is notable for its early recognition of the importance of tactile sensing in robotic manipulation, predating the widespread use of advanced sensors. His work remains a key reference for engineers developing robots for textile handling, manufacturing, and soft material automation.