Kenichiro Kanao
Papers
3
Total Citations
357
H-Index
2
About
Kenichiro Kanao is a materials and robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of flexible electronics, tactile sensing, and artificial skin technologies. He is best known for his pioneering contributions to the development of multi-functional, fully printed flexible sensors capable of simultaneously detecting tactile force, slip/friction force, and temperature — closely mimicking the sensory capabilities of human skin. His landmark 2014 paper on three-axis tactile and slip force sensors has garnered an impressive 349 citations, reflecting its profound influence on the robotics and wearable electronics communities, where enabling robots to grasp unknown objects safely remains a critical challenge. Kanao has continued to push boundaries in sensor selectivity and mechanical compliance, addressing a persistent bottleneck in flexible tactile sensor research: reliably distinguishing between applied pressure stimuli and unwanted signal contributions from substrate bending. His innovative use of strain engineering and carbon black/PDMS composite materials in multi-layered pillar architectures demonstrates both creative materials design and practical engineering insight. Overall, Kanao's body of work represents a meaningful step toward sophisticated, skin-like sensory systems that could transform prosthetics, soft robotics, and human-machine interaction.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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