Tomohiro Kawakami
Papers
4
Total Citations
67
H-Index
3
About
Tomohiro Kawakami is a pioneering roboticist whose work centers on safe human-robot interaction, high-fidelity torque sensing, and multi-contact motion planning. His most influential contribution is the development of a novel torque sensor using linear encoders—a breakthrough that overcomes the poor signal-to-noise ratio of conventional strain gauges. His 2010 paper on this “torque encoder” system, cited 51 times, demonstrates how joint torque feedback enables robots to respond safely upon sudden impact, a critical capability for collaborative robotics. He further refined this technology by introducing selectively compliant suspensions to eliminate measurement crosstalk, as detailed in his 2011 work. Beyond sensing, Kawakami has advanced multi-contact motion planning, developing methods for robots to use hands, knees, and other body parts for locomotion on uneven terrain, while addressing the computational speed bottleneck of such planning. His recent 2024 work explores remote telepresence via robot avatars across large distances, adapting avatar architectures for both wheeled and legged morphologies. Through these contributions, Kawakami has helped lay the foundation for robots that are both sensitive and robust, enabling safer physical cooperation with humans and more versatile autonomous locomotion.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4Remote telepresence over large distances via robot avatars: case studies2 citations · 2024