Papers
25
Total Citations
779
H-Index
14
About
Haruhisa Kurokawa is a pioneering robotics researcher whose career has been defined by groundbreaking contributions to self-reconfigurable modular robotics, an area where robots can autonomously change their physical configuration to adapt to different tasks and environments. He is perhaps best known for his central role in developing the M-TRAN series of modular robots, particularly M-TRAN III, which introduced a fast, rigid connection mechanism alongside sophisticated distributed control architectures enabling both synchronous and asynchronous operation. This landmark work has garnered over 270 citations, reflecting its lasting influence on the field. Kurokawa's research extends to reconfiguration planning algorithms, inter-module communication systems, and vision-guided docking — all essential building blocks for practical modular robotics. His early explorations into micro self-reconfigurable systems powered by shape memory alloy actuators demonstrated remarkable foresight, pushing the boundaries of miniaturization in robotics. He has also contributed to rescue robotics, developing the DIR-2 crawler robot capable of autonomous high-step climbing for urban search and rescue scenarios. Synthesizing decades of insight, his book *Self-Organizing Robots* (2012) offers a broader conceptual framework for the field, cementing his reputation as both an innovative engineer and a thoughtful theorist in adaptive robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Distributed Self-Reconfiguration of M-TRAN III Modular Robotic System271 citations · 2008
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- 3Micro Self-reconfigurable Robotic System using Shape Memory Alloy54 citations · 2000
- 4Docking Experiments of a Modular Robot by Visual Feedback47 citations · 2006
- 5Micro Self-reconfigurable Modular Robot Using Shape Memory Alloy40 citations · 2001
- 6Self-Organizing Robots26 citations · 2012
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- 10Concept of self-reconfigurable modular robotic system22 citations · 2001