Yasushi Fukuda
Papers
6
Total Citations
144
H-Index
5
About
Yasushi Fukuda is a pioneering roboticist whose career has bridged two demanding domains: legged locomotion and space robotics. His most significant and sustained contribution lies in the development of the TITAN series of quadruped walking robots at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Fukuda’s work on TITAN XI, in particular, tackled the extreme challenge of autonomous navigation on steep, uneven slopes for construction tasks in Japan’s mountainous terrain. He pioneered specialized gait control methods, such as the step-over gait for avoiding concrete reinforcement frames, and developed terrain-mapping algorithms that allowed the robot to adapt its walking pattern in real-time while suspended by tethers. These contributions, detailed in his most-cited paper (79 citations) and subsequent works, established foundational principles for energy-efficient leg mechanisms and adaptive locomotion on difficult terrain. Earlier in his career, Fukuda also explored the complexities of in-orbit servicing with the development of an astronaut reference flying robot, a sensor-based autonomous system with triple arms designed for proximity operations and microsatellite assembly. This work demonstrates a rare versatility, applying control and mechanical design principles from terrestrial walking robots to the unique challenges of microgravity, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in both field and space robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Quadruped walking robots at Tokyo Institute of Technology79 citations · 2009
- 2
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- 4Sensor-based proximity operation of an astronaut reference flying robot9 citations · 1994
- 5
- 6Assembly Experiment of Microsatellite by Space Maintenance Robot2 citations · 2001