Katsumasa Tanaka
Papers
2
Total Citations
25
H-Index
2
About
Dr. Katsumasa Tanaka is a pioneering researcher in sports engineering and bio-inspired robotics, whose work bridges computational mechanics and intelligent motion control. His most influential contribution is the development of a finite element model for simulating golf club–ball collisions during a swing, a study that has garnered 23 citations. This work, published in 2012, combined experimental data from a golf robot with advanced numerical modeling to capture the complex mechanical behavior of the shaft and ball at impact, offering unprecedented insights into swing dynamics and equipment design. In parallel, Tanaka has advanced the field of snake-like robotics, where he introduced a winding and reaching control technique based on horizontal constraint force. His 2003 paper on this topic, while less cited, demonstrated practical control strategies using the SMA robot, laying groundwork for flexible, terrain-adaptive locomotion. Tanaka’s research exemplifies how rigorous physical modeling and experimental validation can solve real-world engineering challenges—from perfecting a golf swing to enabling serpentine robots to navigate constrained environments. His work continues to inspire students and researchers at the intersection of mechanics, control, and applied robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Winding and task control of snake like robot2 citations · 2003