Masaru KUMEI

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About

Masaru Kumei is a pioneering researcher in the field of bio-inspired robotics, with a specific focus on the biomechanics of human mastication. His work bridges mechanical engineering and biology, aiming to create dynamic, quantitative models of jaw movement. Kumei’s major contribution lies in the development of the WJ-2, a three-degree-of-freedom (3 DOF) jaw robot that serves as a human mastication simulator. This groundbreaking device, detailed in his most-cited paper (31 citations), reproduces the complex mandible movements involved in chewing, offering an engineering perspective on the controlling mechanisms of human jaw motion. By constructing a mechanical model that mimics biological function, Kumei has provided a foundational tool for understanding oral motor control, with implications for prosthetics, rehabilitation, and robotics. His work on the "Bio-Parallel Mechanism of Mastication Robot" further explores the parallel kinematic structures that enable precise, naturalistic movement. Though his citation counts are modest, Kumei’s research is notable for its interdisciplinary approach, laying early groundwork for the field of chewing robots and influencing subsequent studies in medical robotics and biomechanics.