Shigeaki Ashikaga

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Shigeaki Ashikaga has made foundational contributions to construction robotics, particularly in the automation of finishing and tiling tasks for large-scale building projects. His most recognized work, the "Practical Tile-Setting Robot for Exterior Walls" (1993), co-authored with Kikawada, Ishikawa, and Nishigaki, introduced a pioneering system for automating the precise placement of ceramic tiles on building facades. Developed through a collaboration between Hazama Corporation, the Japan Ceramic Tile Association, and Komatsu, this robot addressed the critical challenges of weight, alignment, and adhesive application in exterior wall finishing. While the paper has accrued 3 citations, its significance lies in being one of the earliest demonstrations of a field-deployable masonry robot, directly influencing subsequent research in construction automation and on-site robotic manipulation. Ashikaga’s work helped establish the technical feasibility of automating traditionally manual, skilled trades, paving the way for safer and more efficient construction practices. His contributions remain a reference point for researchers exploring robotic systems for exterior cladding and finishing in the built environment.