Papers
9
Total Citations
146
H-Index
7
About
Masatsugu Otsuki is a leading figure in planetary robotics, specializing in the development of innovative locomotion and subsurface exploration systems for extraterrestrial environments. His core research focuses on terramechanics—the study of vehicle-soil interaction—and the design of novel robotic mechanisms for navigating and sampling on the Moon, asteroids, and other planetary bodies. Otsuki’s most significant contributions center on the Archimedean screw-driven rover, a robust platform capable of traversing soft, loose regolith without slipping, as well as autonomous burrowing robots for deep lunar subsurface investigation. His work on a screw drilling mechanism for lunar sampling has been foundational, with his most cited paper (2008, 39 citations) establishing key principles for autonomous excavation. Beyond drilling, Otsuki has advanced hopping robots with specialized foot pads for rugged terrain and developed a time-efficient subsurface sampling technique for asteroid missions. His research also extends to visual odometry for natural scenes and flexible space manipulators. With a career spanning over a decade and publications consistently cited in the field of space robotics, Otsuki’s work is instrumental in enabling future missions that require reliable, autonomous interaction with challenging planetary surfaces.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 8Subsurface Sampling Robot for Time-limited Asteroid Exploration6 citations · 2020
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