Kentaro Nakamura
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyushu Institute of Technology
Papers
9
Total Citations
157
H-Index
6
About
Kentaro Nakamura is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of precision actuation, robotics, and sensing technologies, with a particular focus on ultrasonic motor systems and their real-world applications. His most influential contribution lies in the development of multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DOF) piezoelectric ultrasonic motors, most notably demonstrated through his highly cited 2011 paper on hybrid-driven robot finger joints, which has accumulated 64 citations and established him as a significant voice in compact robotic actuation. Nakamura has systematically advanced this field from foundational miniaturization studies in 2006 through to practical robotic finger designs, exploring how ultrasonic motors can elegantly solve the challenge of embedding multiple degrees of freedom within constrained mechanical spaces. His research extends beyond actuation into tribology, examining how ceramic materials perform under lubricated motor conditions, and into sensing, where he applied polymer optical fibers damaged by the fuse effect to innovative curvature sensing applications. More recently, he has explored human-robot collaboration through brain-computer interface techniques, including error-related potential detection to better align robotic behavior with human intent. Across nearly two decades of research, Nakamura's work reflects a sustained commitment to bridging precision engineering with intelligent, human-centered robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Tribological performance of ceramics in lubricated ultrasonic motors26 citations · 2016
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9