Keiichiro Maekawa
Papers
2
Total Citations
14
H-Index
2
About
Keiichiro Maekawa is a pioneering researcher in the field of mobile robotics, with a particular focus on locomotion mechanisms that exploit vibratory excitation and pendulum dynamics. His most notable contributions center on the development of a double-pendulum-type mobile robot capable of shifting laterally between horizontal bars—a novel approach to robotic mobility that mimics brachiation or climbing motions. In his seminal 1992 paper, which has accumulated 12 citations, Maekawa introduced a robot equipped with pivoted double-link arms and grippers, demonstrating how vibratory excitation could enable controlled, sequential bar-to-bar transitions. This work laid the foundation for a new class of underactuated robots, where a single motor drives the joint to achieve complex movement patterns. His follow-up 1991 study, with 2 citations, refined this concept through a new torque-control method, successfully realizing the bar-shifting maneuver in practice. Maekawa’s research is distinguished by its elegant fusion of mechanical design and nonlinear dynamics, offering insights into energy-efficient, minimalist locomotion. While his citation counts are modest, his work remains a touchstone for researchers exploring vibration-driven robotics and unconventional mobility in constrained environments.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2