Mami Yokohama

Hirosaki University, IHI Corporation (Japan)

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Mami Yokohama is a pioneering researcher in space robotics, with a focus on autonomous systems and teleoperation for orbital environments. Her work addresses critical challenges in human-robot collaboration aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where she has proposed innovative solutions to mitigate the growing shortage of human resources. Yokohama’s most influential contribution is the "Intra-Vehicular Free-Flyer System" (IVFFS), a smart robot platform designed to autonomously support crew activities inside the ISS. This concept, introduced in her 2004 paper (10 citations), lays the groundwork for intelligent assistants that can perform routine tasks, freeing astronauts for more complex work. She has also advanced teleoperation techniques with her "Predictive Motion Display for Acceleration Based Teleoperation" (2006, 9 citations), which addresses the unique dynamics of free-flying robots in microgravity. By advocating for acceleration commands over traditional position or velocity commands, Yokohama has improved the precision and safety of remote robot control in space. Her work, though modest in citation count, is foundational for next-generation intra-vehicular robotics and human-robot interaction in space stations.