Yukinori Shibata

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Yukinori Shibata is a leading researcher in construction robotics and autonomous heavy machinery, with a focus on automating earthmoving operations using retrofitted systems. His work centers on enabling large-scale six-wheeled dump trucks to operate autonomously in dynamic, unstructured construction environments. Shibata’s key contributions include developing semantic mapping techniques that transform daily airborne LiDAR data into high-level, actionable maps, allowing robots to understand and interact with their surroundings beyond simple geometric snapshots. His most cited paper (30 citations) demonstrates the successful autonomous driving of a retrofitted dump truck, while subsequent work on path planning for turning back and loading maneuvers (4 citations) addresses critical challenges in real-world earthmoving workflows. By integrating retrofitted sensors and driving robots, Shibata’s research directly tackles the urgent industry need for automation in sediment loading and leaving operations, improving efficiency and safety. His achievements highlight a practical, scalable approach to deploying autonomous systems in heavy construction, making him a notable figure in field robotics and construction automation.