Intelligent Mechanical Engineering Division
Overview
Adding an innovative spirit with expertise to basic educational research, the Intelligent Mechanical Engineering Division is working with the following: robotics that realize relationships in harmony with human beings; human-machine interfaces based on ergonomics; computer-assisted intelligent production systems; information networking; intelligent mechatronics that contribute to medical science and human welfare; environmentally-friendly, energy-conserving systems; and highly efficient energy controls. Through design, education, and research of coexistence with rapport between humans and intelligent machines, we educate and conduct research to foster creative engineers who can produce original and flexible ideas.
Laboratory introduction
For faculty member details, please see the staff introductions.
| Laboratory | Measurement controls, robotics |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor ITO Satoshi Assistant professor MORITA Ryosuke |
| Research details | Our laboratory aims to understand the intelligent movements of human beings and other organisms, clarify the control principles of systems that adaptively generate functions in response to their environment, and realize the application of these operations in robotics and mechanical systems. |
| Laboratory | Intelligent controls, measurement, and analyses of robots and humans |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor SASAKI Minoru Associate professor MATSUSHITA Kojiro |
| Research details | Our laboratory aims to understand the principles behind intelligent movements of human beings and other organisms, as well as to actualize high-performance robotic and mechatronic systems by applying these same principles. We conduct research of robots that are closely related to the daily life humans, such as robotics for well-being care, manufacturing support, and soft robotics. |
| Laboratory | Aerospace engineering, hydrogen energy systems |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor MIYASAKA Takeshi Assistant professor ASAHARA Makoto |
| Research details | In the capacity of research and development of next-generation aerospace vehicles, our laboratory advances the study of electric-propulsion rockets toward the era of full-scale space exploration utilizing systems such as ion engines and Hall-effect thruster technologies, and studies detonation engines and scramjet engines in order to realize hypersonic transport. Furthermore, we conduct research of hydrogen production and combustion for the realization of hydrogen-based energy for society. |
| Laboratory | Advanced intelligence in manufacturing utilizing machines and robotics |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor YAMADA Takayoshi Associate professor ITO Kazuaki Assistant professor SATO Junya |
| Research details | Our laboratory studies robotics and automation technologies for manufacturing that replicate human dexterity. For example, we focus on the dexterous gripping and control of multi-fingered robotic hands, identification of contact states using force sensors, robot-assisted automated assembly, high-speed/high-precision positioning controls, high-precision force controls, and image sensing for manufacturing robots among other technologies. |
| Laboratory | Control engineering and mechatronics, human support systems, virtual reality |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor YAMADA Hironao Associate professor KAWAMURA Takuya Assistant professor IKEDA Takahiro |
| Research details | Our laboratory engages in the following research: visual perception systems using fovea lenses that simulate human visual characteristics; research of wheelchair simulations for barrier-free accessibility evaluations and wheelchair training; development of power-assisted, worker-support devices; study of the prevention of traveler's thrombosis ("economy class" syndrome) caused by long periods of being seated; and study of business task support robots for stores. Furthermore, we are working to develop construction robots that are useful for restoration work at disaster sites and able to provide the feeling of actual presence via remote control. Our research themes also include work support systems using drones. |
| Laboratory | Electrophysiology, soft actuators |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Associate professor TAMAGAWA Hirohisa |
| Research details | Research themes: (1) to re-examine the validity of "membrane theory" as a concept of electrophysiology using an extremely simple, artificial cell modeling experimentation system and very basic mathematics with concepts of thermodynamics; and, (2) to develop electrical stimulation-driven materials using polymers as the base materials. |
| Laboratory | Computational engineering |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Associate professor NAGAI Gakuji |
| Research details | In the era of digital engineering, the role of computer-aided engineering (CAE) has been increasing. In particular, our laboratory conducts various activities from the viewpoints of verification and validation, including experimental analyses of stresses involving electromagnetism. |
| Laboratory | Robots, virtual reality |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Associate professor MOURI Tetsuya |
| Research details | With the main focus on robotics and virtual reality, our laboratory studies intelligent machine systems and interface robots that are as dexterous as are humans and capable of performing autonomous tasks. We conduct research of robotic hands for industrial applications with over 150N of fingertip force, remote control of robotic hands using a multi-fingered haptic interface, and other themes. |
