Wataru Saitou

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About

Wataru Saitou is a robotics researcher whose work centers on human-robot interaction and mobile manipulation interfaces. His most recognized contribution is the development of the **Step-On Interface (SOI)** for mobile platforms, a novel bilateral interface that uses a projected screen to both present information from the robot to the user and capture user instructions. Demonstrated on the HFAMRO-2 platform, the SOI enables intuitive, foot-based control, allowing operators to command mobile robots without handheld devices—a significant step toward hands-free operation in industrial or assistive settings. While his foundational paper on the SOI’s basic functions has garnered 2 citations, its conceptual influence is notable for pioneering a non-contact, projection-based control paradigm. Saitou’s work bridges the gap between visual feedback and physical interaction, contributing to the broader field of embodied interfaces. His research is particularly relevant for students and engineers exploring accessible, multimodal control systems for mobile robotics, where reducing operator cognitive load and physical constraints is critical.