Kenshirou Yokoi

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Kenshirou Yokoi is a robotics researcher whose work focuses on the development of specialized underwater robots for environmental monitoring and geotechnical sampling. His primary research areas include human-portable remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and their application in soil core sampling—a critical task for studying sediment layers in aquatic environments. Yokoi’s major contribution lies in designing compact, lightweight ROVs that integrate core sampling pipes, addressing the challenge of traditional heavy, stationary sampling devices. His pioneering work, "Development of a human-portable underwater robot for soil core sampling" (2013, 15 citations), introduced a novel approach to making underwater soil sampling more accessible and efficient. Building on this, his 2014 follow-up paper (9 citations) tackled the issue of high drag forces that hindered the robot’s translational motion, proposing design improvements to enhance maneuverability and sampling effectiveness. While his citation counts reflect a focused, early-stage impact, Yokoi’s work represents a practical step toward democratizing underwater exploration and sampling. His achievements highlight the potential for portable robotics to transform environmental science, enabling researchers to conduct in-situ sediment analysis in shallow waters without heavy equipment.