Yoshihiro Yamamoto

Kobe Shoin Women's University, Japan Automobile Research Institute

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Yoshihiro Yamamoto is a pioneering researcher in rescue robotics and human-robot safety, whose work bridges the gap between autonomous systems and real-world disaster response. His key research areas include mobile manipulation for search-and-rescue operations and biomechanical analysis of human-robot interactions. Yamamoto’s most notable contribution is the development of the UMRS (Universal Mobile Rescue System) series, specifically the “UMRS-2007,” which introduced a door-opening system that enables rescue robots to navigate through partitioned environments—a critical capability for post-earthquake search missions. This work, published in 2008, has garnered 20 citations and laid the foundation for practical robotic deployment in disaster zones. More recently, Yamamoto has advanced the field of human-robot interaction safety with a 2025 study using finite element method (FEM) analysis to estimate bruise tolerance thresholds in blunt impact scenarios. By deriving strain thresholds from porcine experiments and applying them to human arm models, his research provides essential safety guidelines for collaborative robots. Though early in its impact, this work addresses a growing need as robots increasingly work alongside humans. Yamamoto’s dual focus on operational capability and human safety marks him as a thoughtful innovator in robotics.