About the Reviewer

Akihiko HONDA is an engineer of space robotics. He did his master's thesis in 2012 at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). He is currently a PhD course student at Tokyo Tech.

His research interests include the teleoperation and automation of space robots that interact with flexible or deformable materials. He has a goal to improve the performance and stability of spacecraft in space by developing a much better operation and automation system. In his previous research, he worked for an earth observation satellite with a large solar array paddle and a space robotic arm used to capture the ISS supplier. Currently, he is planning to apply his research results to Space Solar Power System, planetary exploration rovers, and so on. He got an award for the best entry and an award from the Astronomical Society of Japan in JSF's Satellite Design Contest by proposing a new exploration spacecraft using his research.

Through his research at university, he has also participated in several projects conducted by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). In the Robot Experiment on JEM (REX-J) project, he played a role in supporting operations for the experiment facility in orbit and got inspiration for his research. He also joined a project to develop a wearable manipulator for astronauts and developed systems for human control. He is currently working on two exploration robot projects. In one of them, a transformable rover named "KENAGE" is being developed to overcome the extra-rough terrain on the moon and Mars. The rover is now being examined for the possibility of using a GAZEBO simulator prepared by him. In another other project, he is developing an environment recognition system for Jumping Scouter.

In 2013, he participated in the SMART rover project at the University of Surrey and contributed to develop an environment protection and recognition system. Also, he played a role in a field test to check the practical utility of the rover in a real environment.