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About

Masami Kobayashi is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work has significantly advanced the field of humanoid robot teleoperation, particularly in the context of hazardous industrial environments. Operating at the intersection of human-robot interaction, remote control systems, and autonomous vehicle operation, Kobayashi has made landmark contributions through Japan's national Humanoid Robotics Project, launched by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1998. His most celebrated achievements involve developing telexistence systems that enable humanoid robots to operate heavy industrial machinery — including lift trucks and backhoes — as proxies for human operators in dangerous conditions. Notably, his team achieved what is recognized as the world's first successful remote control of a humanoid robot driving a backhoe outdoors, even under adverse weather conditions with the robot wearing protective clothing. These breakthroughs, documented across several highly cited publications accumulating over 270 citations, demonstrated the viability of deploying humanoid robots in construction and industrial settings where human safety is at risk. Beyond teleoperation, Kobayashi has contributed to off-line robot teaching systems for industrial steel pipe processing, reflecting a broader expertise in practical robotic applications. His body of work remains an important reference for researchers exploring telerobotics, human-machine interfaces, and the deployment of humanoid systems in real-world industrial environments.