Robotics for Space Exploration - Challenge to the Moon and Beyond
Professor Kazuya Yoshida - Tohoku University, Japan
Abstract:
Professor Yoshida has been working on a variety of robotics research topics with respect to the dynamics and control of space robotic systems. His interests range from orbital free-flying robots to planetary exploration rovers. The applications are extended to the development of university-based micro satellites and also the terrestrial applications of space technology, such as robotic remote exploration for search and rescue missions.
His technical contributions are evidenced by many space flight and robotic missions, such as:
- ETS-VII (orbital experiments of a free-flying space robot)
- HAYABUSA / HAYABUSA-2 (Japanese asteroid sample return probes)
- RISING / RISING-2 (50 kg microsatellites for science mission) and
- QUINCE (a mobile robot to aid in the Fukushima power plant incident.)
The talk will highlight his current challenge toward the Google Lunar XPRIZE (team HAKUTO) and back ground technology on micro-rover development.
Speaker's Biography:
Professor Kazuya Yoshida received B. E., M. S. and Dr. Eng, degrees in Mechanical Engineering Science from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, in 1984, 1986, and 1990, respectively. He served as a Research Associate of Tokyo Institute of Technology from 1986 to 1994, and was a Visiting Scientist of MIT in 1994. From 1995 to 2003 he was appointed as Associate Professor, and since 2003 he is Full Professor in Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tohoku University, Japan. In 2011 he was named the Director of Center of Robotics for Extreme and Uncertain Environments in Tohoku University.
In addition, he has been contributing to space robotics education for international students at International Space University in Strasbourg, France (for Master of Space Studies) and various locations in the world (for Summer Study Programs). He has been a member of IEEE since 1990, and a committee co-chair of the Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Technical Committee (TC) on Space Robotics, since 2007.
Seating is available on a first come, first served basis and is open to the public.
For more information, please contact Michele Judd by phone at 626-395-6630 or by email at [email protected] or visit Robotics for Space Exploration - Challenge to the Moon and Beyond.