Papers
27
Total Citations
243
H-Index
9
About
Takeshi Aoki is a Japanese robotics researcher whose work spans rescue robotics, bio-inspired locomotion systems, and space robotics. Best known for pioneering the Slim Slime Robot (SSR) series, Aoki developed snake-like pneumatic robots capable of navigating extremely confined spaces — a breakthrough motivated by disaster response needs following large-scale earthquakes. His SSR designs, employing innovative "bridle bellows" mechanisms that enable stretching, shrinking, and bending, have garnered over 60 citations combined and represent a landmark contribution to search-and-rescue robotics. Alongside this work, he developed a pneumatically controlled expandable arm for survivor searches in tight spaces, further cementing his focus on practical disaster-response solutions. Aoki also made significant contributions to space robotics, designing the ASTRA dual-arm system capable of autonomously berthing a rotating satellite — a technically demanding achievement cited 19 times. His QRoSS quadruped walking robot with a protective spherical shell demonstrated additional creativity in transformable robotic design. Beyond research, Aoki championed engineering education through a two-decade robotics creativity curriculum at Tokyo Institute of Technology, reflecting his commitment to nurturing the next generation of roboticists. His diverse portfolio underscores a career defined by imaginative, application-driven mechanical design.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
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- 3Design of Slim Slime Robot II (SSR-II) with Bridle Bellows22 citations · 2003
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- 5Satellite berthing experiment with a two-armed space robot19 citations · 2002
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- 8Street Performance Robot Contest as Practice in Creativity Education9 citations · 2011
- 9Development of novel mobile robot with semicircular wheels9 citations · 2020
- 10