Papers
40
Total Citations
654
H-Index
16
About
Minoru Hashimoto is a pioneering robotics and materials researcher whose work bridges soft actuator technology, wearable robotics, and human-robot interaction. Best known for his foundational contributions to plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel artificial muscles, Hashimoto has demonstrated that these lightweight, responsive materials can achieve over 10% deformation, exceed 90 kPa output stress, and sustain cycle lives beyond five million repetitions — performance characteristics rivaling biological muscle. His research into ionic liquid additives has further advanced the field by reducing driving voltages for practical wearable applications. Equally significant is Hashimoto's development of the wearable rehabilitation robot *curara®*, which employs a non-exoskeletal, synchronization-based control framework inspired by neural oscillators. This system has been clinically validated in randomized trials for stroke patients and individuals with spinocerebellar degeneration, demonstrating meaningful gait improvements. His earliest work on harmonic drive torque sensing and human-robot synchronization has also been widely influential in shaping compliant robotic interaction. With a citation profile spanning foundational materials science to clinical rehabilitation trials, Hashimoto's cumulative impact — totaling nearly 380 citations across his top works — reflects a career dedicated to translating intelligent soft materials into life-enhancing assistive technologies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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