Junwai Kow
Papers
6
Total Citations
356
H-Index
5
About
Junwai Kow is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics and tactile sensing, whose work is fundamentally reshaping how robots perceive and interact with their environment. His primary research areas center on the design and characterization of magnetic field-based soft tri-axis tactile sensors, addressing a critical bottleneck in dexterous robotic manipulation. Kow’s major contributions include developing a novel design methodology that leverages magnetic fields and eddy-current effects to create sensors that are simultaneously robust, high-performance, and mechanically compliant—overcoming the traditional trade-off between fragility and functionality. His seminal 2016 paper on this methodology has garnered 150 citations, while his subsequent work on soft inductive sensors and the MagTrix low-cost array has accumulated over 200 additional citations, underscoring his profound impact on the field. Notably, Kow’s expertise has recently extended into clinical translation, as evidenced by his involvement in the first-in-human clinical trial of the Magnetic Flexible Endoscope (MFE), a robotic system for colonoscopy that integrates magnetic field sensing and real-time image processing. This achievement highlights his ability to bridge foundational sensor research with life-saving medical applications, making him a leading figure in both soft robotics and biomedical engineering.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Design Methodology for Magnetic Field-Based Soft Tri-Axis Tactile Sensors150 citations · 2016
- 2Design and Characterization of Tri-Axis Soft Inductive Tactile Sensors87 citations · 2018
- 3
- 4A Low-cost Soft Tactile Sensing Array Using 3D Hall Sensors22 citations · 2016
- 5
- 6The Magnetic Flexible Endoscope: Phase 1 First-in-Human Clinical Trial3 citations · 2025