Masatoshi Hikizu
Papers
24
Total Citations
178
H-Index
8
About
Masatoshi Hikizu is a leading figure in the field of robotic manipulation, with a particular focus on the complex challenges of handling deformable objects and mobile robot navigation. His most significant contributions lie in developing novel algorithms and gripper mechanisms for clothes manipulation, a notoriously difficult problem for service robots. Hikizu pioneered the use of "inchworm robot grippers" with roller fingertips, enabling dexterous tasks like spreading, tracing, and unfolding soft fabrics. His work on the "tracing manipulation" method, which allows robots to reveal the original shape of deformable objects like towels, has been highly influential, with his core papers on this topic accumulating over 60 citations. Beyond domestic robotics, Hikizu has also made notable contributions to industrial applications, including the development of an assistive robotic arm for power line maintenance and a localization system for indoor mobile robots using large reflective markers. With a total of over 130 citations across his most-cited works, Hikizu’s research is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of soft object manipulation, sensor-based control, and practical robotics for real-world environments.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Inchworm robot grippers for clothes manipulation20 citations · 2008
- 3Clothes Manipulation by Robot Grippers with Roller Fingertips18 citations · 2010
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- 5
- 6Development of assistive robotic arm for power line maintenance12 citations · 2020
- 7Tracing Manipulation in Clothes Spreading by Robot Arms12 citations · 2006
- 8SPREADING OF CLOTHES BY ROBOT ARMS USING TRACING METHOD8 citations · 2007
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- 10