Nobumasa Shirai

National Institute for Materials Science

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Nobumasa Shirai is a robotics researcher whose work centers on active suspension systems for wheeled terrain robots, with a focus on enhancing stability and control over rough terrain. His major contributions lie in the development of computer-controlled active suspension mechanisms that allow robotic vehicles to maintain body stability while traversing uneven surfaces. In his 2005 study, "Active Suspension Four-wheel Model For A Terrain Robot," Shirai demonstrated a four-wheel model capable of significant body attitude control during runs over simulated rough roads, achieving notable results that have garnered 6 citations. He further advanced this work in 2014 with "A computer–controlled active suspension for a wheeled terrain robot," where he built a one-wheel experimental hardware model incorporating a direct-drive DC servo motor for precise suspension control, earning 3 citations. While his citation counts are modest, Shirai’s research is foundational in the niche field of terrain-adaptive robotics, offering practical insights for students and engineers interested in improving the mobility and stability of wheeled robots in challenging environments. His work exemplifies a hands-on, experimental approach to solving real-world robotic locomotion challenges.