Makoto Kaneko

About

Makoto Kaneko is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work has profoundly shaped the fields of robotic manipulation, dexterous hands, and human-robot interaction. Best known for his groundbreaking development of high-speed multifingered robotic hand systems, Kaneko has consistently pushed the boundaries of what machines can physically accomplish — most dramatically demonstrated by his extraordinary "100G capturing robot," an ultra-fast system capable of snatching objects at accelerations invisible to the human eye. Much of Kaneko's foundational influence lies in his rigorous analysis of tendon-driven robotic systems. His early 1990s studies on tendon-sheath transmission characteristics and input-dependent stability (garnering over 220 combined citations) remain essential references for engineers designing compliant, force-controlled robot hands. He further advanced tactile sensing technology through a miniaturized finger-shaped optical sensor, enabling robots to more naturally explore and grasp unknown objects. Beyond hardware, Kaneko made meaningful contributions to assistive technology, developing an EMG-based human-robot interface to aid rehabilitation, and to motion planning through bio-mimetic trajectory generation methods. Collectively, his papers have accumulated over 1,100 citations, reflecting his sustained influence across academic and engineering communities. His research remains indispensable reading for anyone pursuing advanced robotic manipulation or prosthetics.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Development of a high-speed multifingered hand system and its application to catching

   297 citations · 2004
2. 2
   Development of a finger-shaped tactile sensor and its evaluation by active touch

   137 citations · 2003
3. 3
   Basic considerations on transmission characteristics for tendon drive robots

   134 citations · 1991
4. 4
   A new consideration on tendon-tension control system of robot hands

   105 citations · 2002
5. 5
   EMG-based human-robot interface for rehabilitation aid

   94 citations · 2002
6. 6
   Input-dependent stability of joint torque control of tendon-driven robot hands

   90 citations · 1992
7. 7
   Contact point detection for grasping an unknown object using self-posture changeability

   89 citations · 1994
8. 8
   The 100 G capturing robot - too fast to see

   78 citations · 2003
9. 9
   Bio-mimetic trajectory generation of robots via artificial potential field with time base generator

   77 citations · 2002
10. 10
    Design of the 100G Capturing Robot Based on Dynamic Preshaping

    49 citations · 2005

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links