Hitoshi Yamauchi

About

Hitoshi Yamauchi is a robotics researcher whose work centers on human-robot interaction, particularly the subtle, non-verbal cues that make social exchanges feel natural. His primary research areas include embodied interaction, rescue robotics, and the development of small-scale robotic systems designed for close, physical contact with humans. Yamauchi’s most notable contribution is his pioneering work on handshake robots. He has developed multiple systems—such as the "small-size handshake robot" (2012, 5 citations) and a mobile version capable of actively approaching a person (2015, 4 citations)—that generate emotionally acceptable handshake motions. These robots are designed to initiate rapport through physical contact, a critical step toward seamless human-robot coexistence. Beyond social robotics, Yamauchi contributed to disaster response technology, developing a "rescue vest using ICT" (2013, 4 citations) and a small rescue dummy for robot contests that detects pressing forces on the body (2008, 2 citations), aiding in the education of rescue techniques. His work bridges the gap between mechanical precision and social grace, making robots more approachable and effective in both everyday and emergency settings.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A small-size handshake robot system for a generation of handshake approaching motion

   5 citations · 2012
2. 2
   Development of rescue vest using ICT

   4 citations · 2013
3. 3
   A mobile handshake robot system for generation of handshake request motion during active approach to a human

   4 citations · 2015
4. 4
   A Small-Size Handshake Robot System for a Generation of Handshake Approaching Motion with Humans

   2 citations · 2013
5. 5
   Development of a Small Rescue Dummy for Robot Contests that can Detect Pressing Force onto Whole Body

   2 citations · 2008

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links