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About

Mitsuharu Matsumoto is a robotics researcher whose work spans humanoid robot development, tactile sensing systems, and human-robot interaction. He is perhaps best known for his contributions to the WE-4RII (Waseda Eye No.4 Refined II) emotion expression humanoid robot, a platform designed to enable natural human-robot communication through lifelike emotional expressions and gestures. His cluster of papers on WE-4RII has collectively garnered over 220 citations, underscoring the significance of this research direction in social robotics. Beyond expressive robotics, Matsumoto has made substantial contributions to haptic and tactile sensing technologies, developing sensor systems that enable robots to recognize object shapes, trace edges, and navigate uneven terrain with remarkable precision. His haptic sensing foot system for humanoid robots, enabling one-leg balance and ground slope recognition, exemplifies his skill in bridging mechanical design with intelligent control. He has also explored behavioral modeling through operant conditioning frameworks and investigated the nuanced psychological effects of robot error-making on human users — a notably human-centered perspective. More recently, his work on gas-liquid phase change soft robotics reflects a broadening research vision. Across these diverse contributions, Matsumoto's research consistently prioritizes making robots safer, more adaptive, and more naturally integrated into human environments.