Yasuo Imai
Papers
2
Total Citations
336
H-Index
2
About
Yasuo Imai is a pioneering roboticist whose work centers on high-speed, dynamic manipulation and dexterous robotic hands. His major contributions lie in the development of a high-speed multifingered hand system, a remarkable feat of engineering that integrates compact harmonic drive gears and high-power mini actuators within each finger link, enabling joint-level sensing and rapid motion. This system, capable of finger speeds of 180 degrees per 0.1 second, is paired with a high-speed vision system operating at 1 kHz visual feedback. Imai’s most-cited paper (297 citations) introduces this hand’s design, while a subsequent work (39 citations) demonstrates its groundbreaking capability: dynamic active catching of a falling ball. This achievement showcases real-time, closed-loop control that bridges perception and action at unprecedented speeds, moving beyond static grasping into agile, reactive manipulation. Imai’s work has profoundly influenced the fields of robotics and automation, inspiring new approaches to high-bandwidth, sensorimotor coordination in robotic systems. His research remains essential reading for students and engineers interested in pushing the boundaries of robotic dexterity and dynamic interaction.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2