Won Bae Kim

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Won Bae Kim is a robotics researcher whose work focuses on the control and manipulation of underactuated systems, with significant applications in space exploration. His key research areas include sliding mode control for robotic manipulators and sample handling mechanisms for planetary missions. Kim’s 1998 paper on sliding mode control for robot manipulators with passive joints introduced a novel approach to managing underactuated systems—robots with fewer actuators than degrees of freedom—which offer advantages in weight and simplicity. This foundational work has garnered 6 citations, reflecting its influence in the field of nonlinear control. More notably, Kim contributed to the development of a sample acquisition and caching architecture for the proposed Mars 2020 mission, detailed in his 2014 paper on tube transfer using a sampling arm. This work, cited 2 times, addresses the critical challenge of autonomously inserting and sealing sample tubes on Mars, showcasing his ability to translate theoretical control principles into practical, mission-critical hardware. Kim’s research bridges the gap between advanced control theory and real-world robotic systems, making him a notable figure in both academic robotics and space exploration engineering.