Papers
2
Total Citations
15
H-Index
2
About
Shintaro Kino’s research centers on the intersection of robotics, mechanical design, and passive compliance—specifically, how to engineer robot joints that can simultaneously absorb impacts and transmit high torque. His major contribution lies in developing a novel torque transmission mechanism that exploits mechanical singularity to achieve a nonlinear passive stiffness ranging from zero to extremely high values. This breakthrough addresses a fundamental challenge in robotics: reconciling the conflicting demands of softness for safety and stiffness for precision. Kino’s foundational 2008 paper on this mechanism has garnered 12 citations, while his 2009 extension—demonstrating its application in robot joints—has received 3 citations. Though his citation counts are modest, his work is notable for its conceptual originality and practical potential in impact-absorbing robotic systems. By introducing a passive compliant mechanism that can vary stiffness without active control, Kino has laid groundwork for safer human-robot interaction and more resilient robotic manipulators. His research is particularly valuable for engineers designing robots that must operate in unpredictable or contact-rich environments, offering a elegant mechanical solution to a persistent design trade-off.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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