Yasunori Shibano

About

Yasunori Shibano is a pioneering researcher in agricultural robotics, whose work spans the automation of complex horticultural tasks across a diverse range of crops. Based primarily at the intersection of mechanical engineering and precision agriculture, Shibano dedicated much of his career to developing robotic systems capable of navigating and operating within challenging natural environments such as vineyards, greenhouses, and nurseries. His most celebrated contribution is the development of a multipurpose agricultural robot for grape production, published in 2002 and accumulating 77 citations — a landmark achievement that demonstrated how a single robotic platform equipped with interchangeable end-effectors could perform harvesting, berry thinning, and spraying tasks. This modular design philosophy represented a significant leap forward in practical farm robotics. Complementing this flagship work, Shibano conducted extensive foundational research through the early-to-mid 1990s on cucumber and tomato harvesting robots, carefully studying plant physical properties to engineer effective grasping mechanisms and visual sensing algorithms. His investigations into chrysanthemum cutting robots further showcased his breadth across crop types. Collectively, Shibano's body of work helped establish core principles in agricultural robot design that continue to inform modern precision farming research.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Agricultural robot in grape production system

   77 citations · 2002
2. 2
   Basic Studies on Robot to work in Vineyard (Part 2)

   13 citations · 1994
3. 3
   END-EFFECTORS FOR PETTY-TOMATO HARVESTING ROBOT

   10 citations · 1995
4. 4
   REQUEST TO CULTIVATION METHOD FROM TOMATO HARVESTING ROBOT

   8 citations · 1992
5. 5
   Basic Studies on Robot to Work in Vineyard (Part 1)

   8 citations · 1993
6. 6
   Studies on Cucumber Harvesting Robot (Part 3)

   8 citations · 1994
7. 7
   END-EFFECTORS FOR AGRICULTURAL ROBOT TO WORK IN VINEYARD

   7 citations · 1995
8. 8
   Studies on Cucumber Harvesting Robot (Part 2) Manufacture of Hand Based on Physical Properties of Cucumber Plant and Basic Experiment to Harvest

   6 citations · 1994
9. 9
   VISUAL SENSING ALGORITHM FOR CHRYSANTHEMUM CUTTING STICKING ROBOT SYSTEM

   5 citations · 1996
10. 10
    Basic Studies on Robot to Work in Vineyard (Part 3)

    5 citations · 1994

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links