Yoshitaka Uratani
Papers
3
Total Citations
45
H-Index
2
About
Yoshitaka Uratani is a pioneering researcher in assistive robotics, with a focused expertise in developing guide-dog robots to enhance mobility for visually impaired individuals. His major contributions center on creating human–robot interfaces that adapt to natural walking conditions, enabling seamless cooperation between a user and a robotic guide. Uratani’s most influential work, "Development of a guide-dog robot: human–robot interface considering walking conditions for a visually handicapped person" (2011), has garnered 25 citations and established foundational principles for intuitive robot-led navigation. In his earlier conceptual prototype (2010, 18 citations), he introduced a movable platform integrated with a laser range finder (LRF) to recognize and lead a visually-handicapped person while avoiding obstacles. His research also advanced obstacle detection algorithms, including a stereo method for identifying pole- and bar-shaped obstacles (2008). Collectively, Uratani’s work bridges mechanical design, sensing, and human–robot interaction, laying critical groundwork for practical assistive robots that prioritize user safety and autonomy. His contributions remain influential for researchers in rehabilitation engineering and human-centered robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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