Papers
9
Total Citations
374
H-Index
6
About
Hitoshi Maekawa is a pioneering roboticist whose work has fundamentally shaped the design of tactile sensors and dexterous robot hands. His research centers on three interconnected domains: tactile sensing for robotic fingertips, tendon-driven actuation systems, and compliance control for redundant manipulators. Maekawa’s most significant contribution is the development of an innovative finger-shaped tactile sensor using an optical waveguide and a position-sensitive detector, enabling a robotic fingertip to detect contact points and surface normals with high precision—a breakthrough detailed in his highly cited 2003 paper (137 citations). He also advanced the understanding of tendon-tension control systems, formulating the concepts of apparent tendon stiffness and equivalent backlash to improve force transmission in robot hands (105 citations). His work on a three-fingered hand with stiffness control capability (43 citations) and active tactile sensing strategies further demonstrates his impact on creating more intuitive, human-like robotic manipulation. With over 370 cumulative citations, Maekawa’s research remains foundational for engineers developing tactile sensors and compliant robotic hands, bridging the gap between theoretical control and practical, sensor-rich manipulation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Development of a finger-shaped tactile sensor and its evaluation by active touch137 citations · 2003
- 2A new consideration on tendon-tension control system of robot hands105 citations · 2002
- 3Development of a three-fingered robot hand with stiffness control capability43 citations · 1992
- 4A finger-shaped tactile sensor using an optical waveguide36 citations · 2002
- 5
- 6A Method Of Compliance Control For A Redundant Manipulator21 citations · 2005
- 7
- 8Position/Stiffness-based Manipulation by Multifingered Hand.2 citations · 1991
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