Takayuki Hoshi

About

Takayuki Hoshi is a robotics and sensing researcher whose work has made significant contributions to the development of tactile sensor systems for robotic applications. His research centers on artificial robot skin, tactile sensing, and sensor network architectures — areas where he has worked to bridge the gap between biological sensory capabilities and engineered systems. Hoshi is perhaps best known for developing the "STAR" (Skin by Touch Area Receptor) tactile sensor skin, introduced in a 2006 paper that has garnered over 100 citations. This innovative system detects both contact force and contact area simultaneously, drawing inspiration from the human skin's ability to discriminate object sharpness — a capability rarely replicated in robotic systems at the time. Complementing this work, he pioneered the "cell-bridge system," a scalable communication architecture enabling soft, stretchable sensor networks to cover large robotic surfaces, effectively paving the way for whole-body artificial skin. Beyond robotics, Hoshi has demonstrated breadth by contributing to microfluidics research, with a 2023 paper on focused-ultrasound-driven droplet manipulation attracting 21 citations. His earlier work on nonlinear elasticity as a tactile sensing mechanism further cemented his reputation as a creative problem-solver. With cumulative citations spanning foundational robotics and emerging biomedical engineering, Hoshi's research portfolio reflects a career dedicated to making machines more perceptive and responsive.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Robot skin based on touch-area-sensitive tactile element

   101 citations · 2006
2. 2
   A Sensitive Skin Based on Touch-Area-Evaluating Tactile Elements

   24 citations · 2006
3. 3
   Microfluidic platform using focused ultrasound passing through hydrophobic meshes with jump availability

   21 citations · 2023
4. 4
   A Large Area Robot Skin Based on Cell-Bridge System

   16 citations · 2006
5. 5
   A Sensitive Skin Based on Touch-Area-Evaluating Tactile Elements

   15 citations · 2006
6. 6
   Tactile sensing using nonlinear elasticity

   8 citations · 2005
7. 7
   A Whole Body Artificial Skin Based on Cell-Bridge Networking System

   5 citations · 2006
8. 8
   Nonlinear Tactile Element to Sense Contact Force and Area

   4 citations · 2006
9. 9
   Tray Carrying Robot for Hospital Use

   3 citations · 2006
10. 10
    A Tactile Element Based on Nonlinear Elasticity to Sense Contact Area

    3 citations · 2005

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links