Papers
4
Total Citations
82
H-Index
3
About
Kaoru Uesugi is a pioneering researcher in biohybrid robotics, specializing in the development of bio-actuators powered by insect muscular tissue and biomolecular motors. Their major contributions lie in demonstrating the viability of insect dorsal vessel tissue as a robust, self-repairing, and low-maintenance alternative to mammalian cells for soft robotics. In their seminal 2016 work (45 citations), Uesugi systematically characterized the contractile performance and controllability of insect muscle-powered bioactuators under different stimulation strategies, establishing a foundation for precise actuation. This work directly enabled their 2019 breakthrough—the first insect muscular tissue-powered swimming robot (25 citations)—which showcased the potential of these bio-actuators for autonomous, miniature devices. More recently, Uesugi has advanced the field with printable molecular artificial muscles (2024, 10 citations), addressing key limitations in biohybrid robot design by enabling customizable contractile elements. Their research also includes foundational studies on cell-sheet adhesion forces for wet nanorobotics. With a career spanning from cellular mechanics to functional bio-robots, Uesugi’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in sustainable, biologically-inspired actuation systems for soft robotics and micro-devices.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Insect Muscular Tissue-Powered Swimming Robot25 citations · 2019
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