Makoto Kitani
Papers
2
Total Citations
8
H-Index
2
About
Makoto Kitani is a robotics researcher whose work focuses on advancing the tele-operation and locomotion control of legged rescue robots, particularly for deployment in hazardous environments like disaster zones. His primary research areas include intuitive human-robot interfaces and bio-inspired gait stabilization for quadrupedal machines. Kitani’s major contribution is the development of a “virtual marionette” tele-operation system, which enhances the operability of rescue robots by providing more natural and responsive control, reducing the cognitive load on human operators. This work, published in 2018, has garnered 6 citations, reflecting its relevance in the field of disaster robotics. Additionally, Kitani has addressed a critical challenge in quadruped robot locomotion: suppressing roll oscillation during turning maneuvers. By asymmetrically amplifying the output waveform of a central pattern generator (CPG), his 2019 study (2 citations) offers a novel method to stabilize the robot’s body, thereby improving the quality of onboard camera feeds for tele-operation. This achievement is particularly notable for enabling smoother remote control in visually demanding scenarios. Kitani’s research bridges practical usability and biomechanical principles, contributing to safer and more effective robotic operations in extreme conditions.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2