Masatsugu Nishihara
Papers
4
Total Citations
15
H-Index
3
About
Masatsugu Nishihara is a robotics researcher specializing in underactuated locomotion and novel mechanisms for movement on slippery or challenging surfaces. His work centers on developing simple, efficient robots that generate forward motion without complex actuation, often inspired by biological or physical principles like sliding, wobbling, and frequency entrainment. Nishihara’s key contributions include demonstrating that an underactuated robot with a quick-return linkage can achieve stable forward motion on a downhill slope by exploiting sliding and wobbling effects, and later experimentally validating this approach for level surfaces. He has also explored inertial propulsion using streamlined body shapes to optimize center-of-mass motion, and vibratory conveyor systems that entrain loads for controlled transfer. With over 15 citations across his most-cited papers, Nishihara’s work has advanced the understanding of minimalist locomotion strategies, offering potential applications in robotics for hazardous environments, planetary exploration, or industrial material handling. His recent achievements include the development of a crawling-like robot that efficiently slides forward with simple control, marking a notable step toward practical, low-cost locomotion systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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