Hiroki Sato

The University of Tokyo, Keio University

Papers

Total Citations

103

H-Index

About

Hiroki Sato is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-computer interaction and soft robotics, best known for inventing **Liquid Pouch Motors**—a family of printable, planar soft actuators that harness liquid-to-gas phase change to create shape-changing interfaces. His most-cited work (75 citations) revolutionizes conventional pneumatic actuators by eliminating cumbersome tubes and pumps, enabling thin, lightweight, and flexible designs ideal for interactive devices. Earlier in his career, Sato made foundational contributions to real-time systems, proposing **RT-Messenger**, a novel communication mechanism for RTLinux that handles messages with interrupt-level priority (22 citations). He also advanced distributed real-time processing by classifying communicating processes and designing streamlined protocols (6 citations). This dual expertise—spanning from low-level operating system kernels to cutting-edge soft robotics—demonstrates remarkable versatility. Sato’s work on Liquid Pouch Motors has been particularly impactful, opening new possibilities for printable, untethered actuators in wearable technology, haptics, and adaptive interfaces. His research continues to bridge the gap between real-time computing and physical interaction, making him a notable figure in both embedded systems and HCI communities.