Masashi Yokotsuka

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Masashi Yokotsuka is a leading figure in robotics standardization and autonomous navigation, best known for his foundational work on map data interoperability. His primary research areas include robot localization, 3D scan matching, and the development of universal standards for robotic systems. Yokotsuka’s most significant contribution is his role in creating IEEE 1873-2015, the first international standard for Robot Map Data Representation for Navigation (MDR). This standard, sponsored by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, enables seamless map data exchange between different robotic platforms, solving a critical interoperability challenge that had long hindered multi-robot collaboration and system integration. His work on 3D scan matching for mobile robot localization over rough terrain (5 citations) further advanced autonomous navigation in challenging environments, addressing the problem of accurate self-position detection when odometry errors increase. With his most-cited paper (11 citations) establishing a benchmark for map representation, Yokotsuka’s research continues to influence both academic robotics and industrial applications, making autonomous systems more reliable, adaptable, and collaborative across diverse operational contexts.