M. Fukuchi

About

M. Fukuchi is a prominent robotics researcher whose work has significantly advanced the field of autonomous humanoid robot navigation and perception. Specializing in computer vision, path planning, and 3D environment mapping, Fukuchi has made foundational contributions to enabling humanoid robots to operate intelligently in real-world settings. Most notably, their research on Sony's QRIO robot produced landmark methods for obstacle avoidance, stereo vision-based perception, and stair climbing — capabilities essential for deploying robots in everyday human environments. Their 2004 paper on obstacle avoidance and path planning has garnered 185 citations, while their 2008 work on 3D environment map generation has accumulated 117 citations, reflecting the enduring influence of these contributions. Fukuchi's development of floor-obstacle height maps and real-time A\*-based path planning algorithms addressed critical computational challenges in navigating complex 3D terrains. Beyond humanoid robotics, their earlier work on cooperative multi-robot transportation demonstrated versatility across robotic domains. Collectively, Fukuchi's body of work — totaling nearly 670 citations — represents a cornerstone in the progression toward fully autonomous humanoid robots capable of navigating the complexities of unstructured, real-world environments.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Obstacle avoidance and path planning for humanoid robots using stereo vision

   185 citations · 2004
2. 2
   3D Perception and Environment Map Generation for Humanoid Robot Navigation

   117 citations · 2008
3. 3
   Stair climbing for humanoid robots using stereo vision

   91 citations · 2005
4. 4
   Real-time path planning for humanoid robot navigation

   90 citations · 2005
5. 5
   A Floor and Obstacle Height Map for 3D Navigation of a Humanoid Robot

   82 citations · 2006
6. 6
   Motion planning for cooperative transportation of a large object by multiple mobile robots in a 3D environment

   64 citations · 2002
7. 7
   A modular architecture for humanoid robot navigation

   24 citations · 2006
8. 8
   Planning method for cooperative manipulation by multiple mobile robots using tools with motion errors

   6 citations · 2003
9. 9
   Multiple plane segmentation from stereo with the application of stair climbing for humanoid robots

   5 citations · 2004
10. 10
    Environment identification by comparing maps of landmarks

    4 citations · 2004

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links