Tohoku Robotic Systems Laboratory Yamazaki–Bezerra Laboratory
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Faculty

Prof. Kimitoshi Yamazaki

Code-generated fallback illustration of connected intelligent robotics systems
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Prof. Kimitoshi Yamazaki

Professor, Department of Robotics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University

PI, Robotic Systems Laboratory

The detailed lists below (awards, invited talks, research funding, and collaborative research) are a first-pass English translation of the laboratory’s Japanese-language faculty record and are pending review for accuracy of institution, funder, and award names. The Japanese version is the authoritative source.

Research keyword

Elemental research on intelligent robots and intelligent information processing, and research on their application to life support robots and industrial robots.

Career

Born in Nagano Prefecture. Completed his Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba in 2007. Subsequently served as a specially appointed assistant professor and lecturer at the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology and the Information System Engineering Laboratory (JSK), The University of Tokyo. From 2012, affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shinshu University, where he became the head of the Autonomous Intelligence and Systems Lab. Became professor at the same university in 2021. Appointed professor in the Department of Robotics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University in April 2025, where he currently serves as the head of the Robotic Systems Laboratory.

Concurrent appointments

  • Apr 2024 – Mar 2025: Assistant to the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Shinshu University
  • Apr 2019 – Mar 2025: Deputy Director, Institute for Social Infrastructure, Division of Frontier Research, Shinshu University
  • Apr 2018 – Mar 2019: Director, Center for Food and Agriculture Industry Innovation, Division of Frontier Research, Shinshu University
  • Oct 2016 – Mar 2019: Visiting Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
  • Oct 2010 – Mar 2014: Researcher, JST PRESTO
  • Sep 2012 – Jun 2013: Visiting Researcher, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
  • Apr 2006 – Mar 2007: JSPS Research Fellow (DC2)

Awards

  • Advanced Robotics Excellent Paper Award, 2024.
  • Best Paper Runner-Up, The 2024 Conference on Artificial Life, 2024.
  • Best Paper Award, Journal of the Robotics Society of Japan, 2023.
  • HSR (Human Support Robot) Community Excellent Paper Award, 2023.
  • Excellence Award, The 28th Robotics Symposia, 2023.
  • Winner, Unfolding category, Cloth Manipulation Track, The 2022 Robotic Grasping and Manipulation Competitions, Oct 2022.
  • Best paper finalist, IEEE ICMA 2022.
  • Special Award, The Robotics Society of Japan, World Robot Summit 2020.
  • The Most Influential Paper over the Decade Award, IAPR MVA2019.
  • 2nd Place, Manufacturing Category (NEDO Chairman’s Award), World Robot Summit 2018.
  • Best paper award finalist, IEEE ICIA 2018.
  • GaiTech Best Paper in Robotics, IEEE ICIA 2017.
  • Best paper award finalist, IEEE ICIA 2017.
  • Young Scientists’ Award, The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), 2016.
  • JSME Encouragement Award (Research), The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2015.
  • Best Paper Award, The Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (SICE), 2014.
  • Excellent Presentation Award, SICE System Integration Division Conference, 2013.
  • Best Paper Finalist, 2013 IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration, 2013.
  • Young Researcher Encouragement Award, SICE System Integration Division, 2012.
  • Excellent Presentation Award, SICE System Integration Division Conference, 2012.
  • Excellent Presentation Award, SICE System Integration Division Conference, 2011.
  • Research Encouragement Award, The Robotics Society of Japan, 2010.
  • Certified “Super Creator,” MITOU Youth Program (Exploratory IT Human Resources Project), Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA), 2005.
  • IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Japan Chapter — Winner, Advanced Mobility category, RoboCup 2005 Rescue Robot League.

The following are awards received by supervised students as co-authors:

  • JSAE Graduate Student Research Encouragement Award (for supervised student Yusuke Kuribayashi), 2025.
  • SICE Excellent Student Award (for supervised student Haruhisa Ishikawa), 2024.
  • JSME Robotics and Mechatronics Division Best Demonstration Award (for supervised student Toshifumi Fujiwara), 2023.
  • JSAE Graduate Student Research Encouragement Award (for supervised student Takahiro Yamazaki), 2023.
  • SICE Excellent Student Award (for supervised student Takuya Iwasaki), 2023.
  • SICE Chubu Chapter Symposium Excellent Presentation Award (for supervised student Takahiro Yamazaki), 2022.
  • SICE Chubu Chapter Symposium Excellent Presentation Award (for supervised student Haruhisa Ishikawa), 2022.
  • SICE Technical Encouragement Award (for supervised student Kazuki Nogami), 2022.
  • JSAE Graduate Student Research Encouragement Award (for supervised student Taiki Abe), 2021.
  • JSDE Eiji Muto Award, Excellent Student Award (for supervised student Toshiki Demura), 2020.
  • SICE Chubu Chapter Symposium Robot Award (for supervised student Toshiki Demura), 2019.
  • JSME Miura Award (for supervised student Daisuke Tanaka), 2019.
  • IEEE RAS Japan Joint Chapter Young Award, IEEE ICRA 2018 (for supervised student Daisuke Tanaka), 2018.
  • SICE Chubu Chapter Symposium Robotics and Mechatronics Award (for supervised student Sho Tsuda), 2017.
  • SICE Chubu Chapter Symposium Image and Environment Sensing Award (for supervised student Taiji Higashide), 2017.
  • Shinshu Robotics Society Poster Session Special Award (for supervised student Hiroyuki Yumiba), 2015.
  • Shinshu Robotics Society Poster Session Special Award (for supervised student Yusuke Moriya), 2015.
  • SICE Encouragement Award (for co-author Ryosuke Oya), 2013.
  • IPSJ 73rd National Convention Student Encouragement Award (for co-author Tomohiro Nishino), 2011.

Invited talks and other presentations

  • Invited talk: “Intelligent Systems for Autonomous Robots,” Digital Laboratory Study Group, Sep 12, 2025.
  • Invited talk: “Intelligent Robotics and Deformable Object Manipulation,” Brother Industries, Ltd., Apr 21, 2025.
  • Invited talk: “Sensing and State Estimation for Sewing Tasks,” Advanced Machining Technology Lecture, Advanced Machine Tool Technology Promotion Association, Feb 21, 2025.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision,” Technical Seminar, Advanced Automation and Robotics Study Group, Jul 19, 2024.
  • Invited lecture: “Action Learning Technologies in Robotics,” Technical Seminar, Advanced Automation and Robotics Study Group, Mar 27, 2024.
  • Invited lecture: “Object Recognition Technologies in Robotics,” Technical Seminar, Advanced Automation and Robotics Study Group, Feb 22, 2024.
  • Invited talk: “Robotics for Deformable Object Manipulation,” AI & Robot Committee, Mobile Computing Promotion Consortium, Jan 26, 2024.
  • Invited lecture: “AI Fundamentals for Robot Vision,” Technical Seminar, Advanced Automation and Robotics Study Group, Dec 21, 2023.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision and Applications to Environment Recognition Using LiDAR and RGB-D Sensors,” Technical Seminar, Japan Techno Center, Dec 19, 2023.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision,” Technical Seminar, Advanced Automation and Robotics Study Group, Nov 30, 2023.
  • Invited talk: “Current Status and Practical Deployment of Intelligent Robotics,” SAKU Messe, Sep 21, 2023.
  • Invited talk: “Intelligent Robotics for Deformable Object Manipulation,” The 39th Fuzzy System Symposium, Sep 6, 2023.
  • Invited talk: “Using the Dobot M1 in R&D for Automating Deformable Object Tasks,” Robot Innovation Week 2023 (hosted by TechShare), Jul 20, 2023.
  • Invited talk: “Vision and Motion Planning for Intelligent Robots,” Supporters’ Association, Educational Research Promotion Association, Nagano Prefectural Institute of Technology, Jun 14, 2023.
  • Invited lecture: “Acquiring Recognition and Action Capabilities through Machine Learning,” 4th FY2022 Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Apr 28, 2023.
  • Invited lecture: “Intelligent Robotics for Deformable Object Manipulation,” undergraduate course “Robotics,” Shibaura Institute of Technology, Mar 20, 2023.
  • Invited lecture: “Object Detection, Tracking, and Pose Estimation,” 3rd FY2022 Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Feb 22, 2023.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision and Applications to Self-Localization and Object Recognition,” Technical Seminar, Japan Techno Center, Dec 26, 2022.
  • Invited lecture: “Robot Navigation Technologies,” 2nd FY2022 Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Dec 7, 2022.
  • Invited talk: “Robotics for Deformable Object Manipulation,” 2nd FY2022 Nanomechanics Study Group, New Generation Research Institute, Nov 27, 2022.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision,” 1st FY2022 Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Oct 20, 2022.
  • Invited talk: “Cloth manipulation based on hierarchical shape prediction,” 2nd Workshop on Representing and Manipulating Deformable Objects @ICRA2022, May 23, 2022.
  • Invited lecture: “Collaborative Research Case Studies on Task-Support Robots,” 6th Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Mar 4, 2022.
  • Invited talk: “Applications of AI Technology in Robotics,” Asama Technopolis Regional Center, Nagano Techno Foundation, Feb 24, 2022.
  • Invited lecture: “Research Case Studies on Human Motion Sensing and Task Teaching,” 5th Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Dec 23, 2021.
  • Invited lecture: “Intelligent Robotics for Deformable Object Manipulation,” undergraduate course “Robotics,” Shibaura Institute of Technology, Dec 13, 2021.
  • Invited lecture: “Research Case Studies on Deformable Object Manipulation by Autonomous Robots,” 4th Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Nov 2, 2021.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of AI Technology and Applications in Robotics,” 3rd Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Sep 3, 2021.
  • Invited lecture: “Software Considerations in Robotics R&D,” 2nd Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, May 28, 2021.
  • Invited lecture: “Collaborative Development Case Studies Toward Automating Product Manufacturing Processes,” 1st Workshop, Saku Industry Support Center, Feb 19, 2021.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision and Applications to Recognition, Detection, and Localization,” Technical Seminar, Japan Techno Center, May 19, 2020.
  • Invited talk: “Intelligent Robot Technology for Deformable Object Manipulation,” 8th Academic Night, Chubu Innovation Promotion Organization, Jan 23, 2020.
  • Invited talk: “Introduction to R&D Case Studies on Autonomous Robots,” Technical Presentation Meeting, Seiko Epson Corporation, Nov 18, 2019.
  • Invited talk: “Object Recognition, Action Planning, and System Integration for Autonomous Robots,” 2nd Technical Lecture, Shinshu University Manufacturing Promotion Society, Oct 16, 2019.
  • Invited talk: “Intelligent Systems for Autonomous Robots Toward Automating Fabric Product Manipulation,” The 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Peripheral Nerve Society, Aug 24, 2019.
  • Invited talk: “Introduction to Research on Autonomous Intelligent Systems,” In-house Lecture, Fujikoshi Corporation, Aug 22, 2019.
  • Invited talk: “Recognition, Action Planning, and System Integration for Autonomous Robots Performing Object Manipulation,” The 120th Robotics Engineering Seminar, Jun 27, 2019.
  • Invited lecture: “Intelligence Required for Working Robots” (for high school students), Yume Navi Live @ Tokyo, Jun 8, 2019.
  • Invited talk: “Overview of ROS and an Example of ROS-Based Vision System Integration,” ROS Utilization Lecture, ImPACT Tough Robotics Challenge (hosted by City of Kobe et al.), Mar 7, 2019.
  • Invited talk: “Vision-Based Cloth Manipulation by Autonomous Robots,” Czech Technical University, Jan 11, 2019.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision and Applications to Detection, Recognition, and Self-Localization,” Technical Seminar, Japan Techno Center, Dec 18, 2018.
  • Invited talk: “Visual Information Processing, Knowledge Representation, and Recognition for Manipulation,” Manipulation Winter School, Dec 16, 2018.
  • Invited talk: “AI × Robotics: Research Trends and Achievements,” General Meeting, Saku Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manufacturing Study Group, Jul 3, 2018.
  • Invited talk: “Research Trends in the Intelligence of Autonomous Robots,” Senior Engineers Forum, Asama Technopolis Regional Center, Dec 13, 2017.
  • Invited lecture: “Fundamentals of Robot Vision and Applications to Detection, Recognition, and Self-Localization,” Technical Seminar, Japan Techno Center, Dec 7, 2017.
  • Invited talk: “Visual Recognition System for Search Operations Using Teleoperated Mobile Robots,” The 110th Robotics Engineering Seminar, Nov 12, 2017.
  • Invited talk: “Recognition and Manipulation of Fabric Products,” The 104th Robotics Engineering Seminar, Apr 26, 2017.
  • Invited lecture: “Visual Information Processing for Autonomous Robots,” undergraduate course “Robotics,” Shibaura Institute of Technology, Jul 22, 2015.
  • Demonstration: Mobile robot demonstration, Matsumoto Regional Manufacturing Fair, Jul 18–19, 2015.
  • Invited talk: “Sensor Information Processing and Robotics for Fabric Recognition and Manipulation,” The 2nd Emergent Symposium by Tenure-Track Faculty, Nov 28, 2014.
  • Invited talk: “Research Trends in Robot Vision Toward Automating Fabric Product Manipulation in Living Environments,” Koganei Corporation, May 22, 2014.
  • Invited participant and poster presentation, JSPS Japanese-German Frontiers of Science Symposium (JGFoS), Kyoto, Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2013.
  • Poster presentation, JST Symposium “Designing the Future Society through Informatics,” Tokyo, Oct 15, 2013.
  • Invited talk: “Visual Processing and Recognition for Autonomous Robots Acting in Living Environments,” Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Research Cooperation Lecture “Kansei Connecting Robots and the Future of Humans,” Oct 11, 2013.
  • Invited talk: “Sensor Information Processing for Fabric Product Recognition and Manipulation,” The 42nd UTARC Seminar, University of Tsukuba, Feb 20, 2013.
  • Invited talk: “Recognition, Action Planning, and System Integration for Intelligent Robots,” SICE Chubu Chapter Shinshu Regional Measurement and Control Study Group, Shinshu University, Dec 4, 2012.
  • Invited talk: “Sensor Information Processing for Autonomous Life-Support Robots,” JSME Robotics and Mechatronics Division Tohoku Regional Special Lecture “Information and Robotics,” Tohoku University, Sep 26, 2012.
  • Poster presentation, JST Symposium “Designing the Future Society through Informatics,” Tokyo, Nov 8, 2012.
  • Invited talk: “Sensor Information Processing for Physically Assistive Robots,” Omnibus Lecture Series, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Jul 25, 2011.
  • Invited talk: “Software System Design for Multi-Function Life-Support Robots,” The Robotics Society of Japan, The 52nd Robotics Engineering Seminar Symposium, The University of Tokyo, Jun 2009.
  • Talks given during a visit to LAAS, France. LAAS/LIA seminars: “Vision and Motion Planning for handling objects by a Mobile Manipulator” and “IRT Foundation to Support Man and Aging Society,” Jul 2007.

Research funding (as Principal Investigator)

  • NEDO Public-Private Program for Discovering Young Researchers / Matching Support Phase, “Building an Automation Platform Based on High-Fidelity Modeling of Deformable Objects,” Sep 2023–.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A), “Acquiring Precise Deformable Object Manipulation Capability through Reorganized Deformable Object Representations,” Apr 2023–.
  • JST Moonshot Research and Development Program (Goal: by 2050, realize robots that learn and act autonomously through AI-robot co-evolution and coexist with people, creating a vibrant society through adaptive AI robot fleets), “Assistive Control for Hyper-Degree-of-Freedom, Multi-Point-Contact Motion,” Dec 2020–.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory), “Establishing Low-Dimensional Representations and Motion Planning Methods for Manipulating String-Like Deformable Objects,” Jul 2021 – Mar 2023.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), “State Prediction and Acquisition of Manipulation Methods for Sequential Deformable Object Tasks,” Apr 2020 – Mar 2023.
  • NEDO Development of Core Integration Technologies for Next-Generation AI and Robotics, R&D to Expand the Application Domain of AI Technology, “Improving Production Processes for Deformable Products through Extraction of Manipulation Knowledge for Hard-to-Model Objects,” Jun 2019–.
  • NEDO Pioneering Research Program / New Technology Pioneering Research Program, “R&D of a Food Processing Support System,” Jul 2019 – Dec 2020.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory), “Establishing Manipulation Capability for String-Like Deformable Objects with Inhomogeneity, Elasticity, and Anisotropy,” Jul 2018 – Mar 2020.
  • NEDO Next-Generation Robot Core Technology Development, Next-Generation AI Technology Field, “R&D of a Deformable Object Manipulation System,” Jul 2015 – Mar 2020.
  • Cabinet Office Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program (ImPACT), “Active Sensing in Extreme Environments and Intelligent Processing of Sensing Information Based on Irregular Pattern Recognition,” Apr 2015 – Mar 2019.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A), “Automatic Acquisition of Fabric Knowledge Representation and Manipulation Skills through Active Fabric Manipulation,” Apr 2014 – Mar 2018.
  • Joint Research (National Institute of Informatics), “Building Real-World Robotics Based on Data Engineering and AI,” Apr 2015 – Mar 2016.
  • Joint Research (National Institute of Informatics), “Constructing New Recognition and Decision Processes for Intelligent Robots,” Apr 2014 – Mar 2015.
  • JST PRESTO, “Knowledge Formation of Everyday Deformable Objects through Active Sensing and Its Applications,” Oct 2010 – Mar 2014.
  • Joint Research (National Institute of Informatics), “Constructing New Recognition and Decision Processes for Intelligent Robots,” Apr 2013 – Mar 2014.
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Strategic Information and Communications R&D Promotion Programme (SCOPE), Young ICT Researcher Development Program, “R&D of a Recognition Feature Library and Classifier for Autonomous Assistive Robots Performing Cleaning, Tidying, and Pick-Up Tasks,” Aug 2013 – Mar 2014.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research, “Intelligent Information Processing for Dexterous Tool Manipulation with a Simple Robot Hand,” Apr 2011 – Mar 2013.
  • Joint Research (National Institute of Informatics), “Constructing New Recognition and Decision Processes for Intelligent Robots,” Apr 2012 – Mar 2013.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), “Error Recovery System Design for Life-Support Behaviors by a Mobile Dual-Arm Robot,” Apr 2009 – Mar 2011.
  • JSPS Research Fellowship Grant, “Research on Vision and Motion Planning for a Mobile Manipulator Performing Object Manipulation,” Apr 2006 – Mar 2007.
  • IPA MITOU Software Program (MITOU Youth), “A System for Delivering 3D Shapes from Mobile Devices,” Jul 2003 – Feb 2004.
  • Joint Research (Toyota Motor Corporation), Jul 2013–.
  • Joint Research (DENSO Corporation), Apr 2024 – Mar 2025.
  • Joint Research (Epson Avasys Corporation), Apr 2021 – Mar 2024.
  • Joint Research (Takenaka Corporation), Oct 2020 – Mar 2024.
  • Joint Research (Seiko Epson Corporation), Dec 2014 – Mar 2024.
  • Joint Research (THK Co., Ltd.), Jun 2019 – Mar 2022.
  • Joint Research (Fujikoshi Corporation), Apr 2019 – Mar 2021.
  • Joint Research (YAC Machinery Corporation), Apr 2019 – Mar 2021.
  • Joint Research (Fujibo Holdings, Inc.), Apr 2018 – Mar 2021.
  • Joint Research (Microstone Corporation), Jul 2019 – Mar 2020.
  • Joint Research (IHI Corporation), Oct 2016 – Mar 2019.

Collaborative research with other institutions

  • Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory), “Wet-Heat Shaping of Deformable Objects Using a Robot Hand with Controlled Heat, Water, and Air Release,” Jul 2021 – Mar 2024.
  • NEDO Project for Realizing an Energy-Saving Society through Robots and Drones, Subcontract (with The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. and others), “Accelerating Domestic Research Infrastructure and Strengthening Initiative through Hosting the World Robot Summit,” Apr 2017 – Mar 2018.
  • NEDO Next-Generation Robot Core Technology Development, Joint Implementation (lead: Kobe University; co-implementer: Kanazawa University), “Advanced Manipulation through Integration of Grasping and Recognition Functions,” Jan 2016 – Sep 2016.
  • National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Innovative Technology Development and Rapid Deployment Project (Regional Strategy Project), “Development of an Automated Harvesting Robot and Cultivation Techniques for an Integrated Mechanized Production System to Strengthen Market Competitiveness of Lettuce,” Apr 2016 – Mar 2019.
  • Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), “Development of a Wire-Traversing General-Purpose Inspection Robot for Extending Bridge Service Life,” Apr 2016 – Mar 2019.
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), “Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food Industry Science and Technology Research Promotion Project,” Practical Technology Development Stage, “R&D for Practical Application of an Automated Harvesting Robot for Leafy Vegetables,” Mar 2015 – Mar 2018.
  • Joint Research (Shibaura Institute of Technology and others, SIP Program, Next-Generation Unmanned Construction Technology Research Association), Dec 2014 – Mar 2017.
  • MAFF “Robot Technology R&D Project in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,” “R&D of an Automated Harvesting Robot System for Head-Forming Leafy Vegetables,” Feb 2015 – Mar 2016.
  • Joint Research (Chiba Institute of Technology), “Research on Texture Recognition Methods for Road Identification in Urban Areas,” Dec 2012 – Mar 2016.
  • Joint Research (University of Tsukuba), “Research on Outdoor Autonomous Mobile Robots Coexisting with People,” Dec 2013 – Mar 2016.
  • Joint Research (Tohoku University), “R&D of an Unmanned Survey Robot for Investigating Volcanic Ash Fall from Mt. Asama Eruptions,” Apr 2014 – Mar 2016.