Shota Kokubu
Papers
9
Total Citations
126
H-Index
6
About
Shota Kokubu is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics and hand rehabilitation engineering, whose work has significantly advanced the development of pneumatic soft actuators for assistive and rehabilitative devices. His research focuses on designing, modeling, and evaluating fiber-reinforced soft actuators tailored to the complex biomechanics of human hand movement, with particular emphasis on thumb rehabilitation — an area historically underserved due to the thumb's intricate opposition and abduction-adduction mechanics. Among his most influential contributions is a series of studies on soft robotic gloves and modular actuator systems, including his widely cited work on thumb-specific pneumatic actuators and fiber-reinforced elastomer systems, which together have accumulated over 70 citations. Kokubu has pioneered individualized rehabilitation glove design, finite element modeling of actuator-joint interactions, and novel evaluation frameworks such as dummy finger joint-actuator complex models. His recent work ventures into machine learning, addressing sim-to-real transfer challenges for joint stiffness self-sensing in soft robotic systems. Through rigorous biomechanical evaluation and innovative actuator design, Kokubu's research bridges engineering and clinical rehabilitation, offering safer, more adaptable robotic solutions for stroke patients recovering hand function.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Designing Soft Pneumatic Actuators for Thumb Movements38 citations · 2021
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9