Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

M. Yashima is a leading figure in robotic manipulation, whose work has fundamentally advanced how robots interact with and control objects. His research centers on dexterous manipulation, automated assembly, and the development of novel control strategies for robotic hands and arms. Yashima’s major contributions include pioneering randomized manipulation planning for object re-orientation, a technique that enables multi-fingered hands to achieve complex, dexterous grasps. His influential 2004 paper on this topic (13 citations) provides an efficient algorithm for searching feasible trajectories between grasps, a cornerstone for modern manipulation planning. He has also made significant strides in non-prehensile manipulation, as demonstrated by his work on frictionless sliding contact (7 citations) and his innovative "throwing manipulation" for parts assembly (6 citations), which uses a one-joint arm to accurately control an object’s position and orientation. Furthermore, Yashima developed the Rotational Base and Sliding Fingers (RBSF) mechanism for intelligent fixtures, enabling robots to manipulate and fix heavy objects in three dimensions. With a career marked by theoretical depth and experimental validation, Yashima’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in the frontiers of robotic dexterity and assembly automation.