Papers
3
Total Citations
67
H-Index
3
About
Masahiko Hoshina is a robotics and mechatronics researcher whose work has focused primarily on the development of advanced ultrasonic motor technologies and their practical applications in robotic inspection systems. His most significant contributions center on the design and refinement of spherical ultrasonic motors (SUSMs), compact actuators capable of three rotational degrees of freedom, which he pioneered as camera actuation systems for pipe inspection robots. This innovation addressed a critical engineering challenge: enabling a robot navigating confined pipe environments to orient a camera in any direction with precision and flexibility, surpassing the limitations of earlier SUSM designs. Hoshina's research has made meaningful strides in both the mechanical design and control methodologies of these systems, including the development of outer-rotor-type configurations and robust driving and control frameworks. His 2009 paper on this subject has accumulated 35 citations, reflecting its influence within the robotics and actuator engineering communities, while a subsequent 2012 publication extended this work with an additional 27 citations. Collectively, his research has contributed foundational knowledge to the miniaturized actuator field, with real-world implications for infrastructure inspection technology where small, agile robotic systems are increasingly essential.
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