Papers
63
Total Citations
844
H-Index
14
About
Masahiro Ohka is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work has fundamentally advanced the field of tactile sensing for robotic systems. His research centers on optical three-axis tactile sensors, robotic manipulation, and biomimetic sensing systems — areas in which he has established an internationally recognized body of work. Ohka's most significant contribution is the development and refinement of optical waveguide-based tactile sensors capable of simultaneously detecting both normal and shearing forces. By engineering innovative sensing elements — including columnar and conical feelers mounted on hemispherical surfaces — he achieved high precision force measurement suitable for integration into multi-fingered robotic hands and micro-robots. His 2004 paper on combined-loading sensing characteristics alone has garnered 95 citations, reflecting the field's reliance on his foundational designs. Beyond hardware, Ohka extended his work into intelligent robotic control, developing systems that distinguish object hardness through low-force tactile interaction and enable autonomous object exploration. He also contributed to biomimetic sensing by modeling human surface-roughness recognition through neuron-inspired mathematical frameworks. With over 450 cumulative citations across his top works, Ohka's research bridges precision sensor engineering and intelligent robotic systems, making his contributions essential reading for researchers working at the intersection of haptics, robotics, and human-machine interaction.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2An Experimental Optical Three-axis Tactile Sensor for Micro-Robots79 citations · 2005
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- 10A robotic finger equipped with an optical three-axis tactile sensor22 citations · 2008