Event Location: NSH 1305
Bio: Katsu Yamane joined Disney Research, Pittsburgh as a Senior Research
Scientist in October 2008. His research interests are in humanoid robot
control, human motion analysis and simulation, and character animation
synthesis. He received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from University
of Tokyo in 1997, 1999 and 2002 respectively. Before moving to Disney,
he was an Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo. He was also a
postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University from 2002 to 2003. He
is a recipient of Best Transactions Paper Award (2000) and Early Academic
Career Award (2004) of IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, and Young
Scientist Award (2005) of Ministry of Education, Japan.

Abstract: In this talk, I will introduce some of my work in humanoid control and
human motion analysis. The goal is to understand human motion control
skills and apply them to humanoid robots to realize realistic motions
and interaction with environment and human.

The first half of the talk deals with synthesizing robot and virtual
character motions from human motion data. I will show several
techniques to adapt motion data to new robots and environments by
combining data with dynamics, kinematics and planning algorithms.

The second half is devoted to our quest towards more thorough
understanding of human motion control through analysis and simulation
using a detailed neuro-musculo-skeletal model. In particular, I will
describe our model of the somatosensory reflex system, which is expected
to play an important role in human motion control.

Finally, I will discuss the future of animatronic figures in parks and
possible ways to improve the reality and interactivity of their motion.