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Hideo Hanafusa is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work has fundamentally shaped modern robot manipulation, kinematics, and control theory. His research spans three major domains: inverse kinematics and singularity handling, redundancy control of robot manipulators, and robotic grasping with elastic fingers. Hanafusa's most influential contributions address the longstanding challenge of controlling articulated robot manipulators near kinematic singularities. His 1986 paper introducing singularity-robust inverse kinematic solutions has accumulated over 1,000 citations, establishing a foundational method still referenced in robotics curricula and research worldwide. Equally impactful is his 1987 work on task-priority-based redundancy control — also exceeding 1,000 citations — which introduced the elegant concept of hierarchical subtask prioritization, enabling robots with redundant degrees of freedom to simultaneously satisfy multiple objectives. His complementary work on globally optimal redundancy control using Pontryagin's maximum principle further cemented his authority in this domain. Earlier in his career, Hanafusa made significant strides in robot grasping, publishing multiple influential studies on stable prehension using elastic fingers that have collectively shaped robotic hand design. His later work on an 8-DOF robotic orthosis for upper-limb assistance demonstrates his enduring commitment to applying fundamental robotics principles to human-centered rehabilitation technologies.