Wataru Kobayashi
Papers
7
Total Citations
79
H-Index
5
About
Wataru Kobayashi is a leading researcher in soft robotics and pneumatic actuation, with a focus on developing safe, compliant systems for inspection, rehabilitation, and mobile robotics. His work centers on creating flexible pneumatic actuators and mechanisms that offer intrinsic safety through air compressibility, making them ideal for applications where electrical leakage or rigidity poses risks. Kobayashi’s major contributions include the inchworm-type flexible pipe inspection robot, which uses extension-type pneumatic actuators to navigate damp and wet pipes without electrical hazards, and a portable rehabilitation device featuring a soft actuator with a built-in quasi-servo valve and displacement sensor for home or hospital use. He has also advanced flexible robot arms with backdrivability using linear stepping actuators and a six-legged mobile robot driven by tetrahedral-shaped soft actuators. His most cited work, “Improvement of Pipe Holding Mechanism and Inchworm Type Flexible Pipe Inspection Robot” (28 citations), highlights his impact on practical inspection technology. With over 79 total citations across his key papers, Kobayashi’s research is pivotal for developing low-cost, lightweight, and inherently safe pneumatic systems that address aging societies and infrastructure needs.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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