LAB LOGA page on LabLog, a review site (not the lab's official page)
Nakashima Lab
Machine-translated · View original
The lab views humans as systems and uses mechanics to explain movements such as swimming.
AboutAbout the lab
Viewing humans as "systems".
The Nakashima Lab views humans as systems and, from the perspectives of systems engineering and mechanical engineering, studies problems of humans and of systems that include humans.
It pursues research from many angles in fields such as biomechanics, sports engineering, biorobotics, and assistive technology.
The lab has developed "SWUM", a swimming mechanics simulator, and a swimming humanoid robot whose joints move throughout the whole body.
The lab calls on students who are interested in these topics to join the lab.
Key terms
- Biomechanics
- An interdisciplinary research field that applies the view of mechanics, long used for artificial objects such as machines, to the bodies of living things
- Musculoskeletal model
- A tool that represents the muscles of the whole body as wires and examines how much load is placed on which muscles during a movement
- Biorobotics
- A field in which the movements of living things are imitated by robots to aid research, or robots inspired by living things are built
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies various problems related to humans from many angles, viewing humans as "systems" and also applying the frameworks of mechanical engineering and systems engineering. The research is summarized on Professor Nakashima's page (updated in 2017), which introduces analysis with musculoskeletal models, a swimming simulator, a swimming robot, and tools for people with disabilities.
*Illustrative imageMotion Analysis with Musculoskeletal Models
Using musculoskeletal models, the lab mechanically analyzes how much load is placed on which muscles during swimming and everyday movements. The results are used to prevent injuries and to design tools and machines that are friendly to people.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of the SWUM Swimming Simulator
The lab develops "SWUM", a swimming simulator that calculates the fluid forces acting on a swimmer's body and the motion of the body. It is also applied to research on preventing lower back pain in competitive swimmers, swimsuits that are easier to swim in, and skydiving.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of Swimming Robots
Using a swimming robot arm with torque sensors built into its joints, the lab measures the forces acting on the joints during swimming, with the aim of improving the accuracy of the simulator. It has also developed a swimming humanoid whose whole body moves.
*Illustrative imageTools for People with Disabilities
This is research on tools that improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and older adults. The lab developed a swimming aid that enables people who have lost the part of the arm below the elbow to swim with a feel close to what they had before the loss.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Nakashima Lab are faculty, master's and undergraduate students, and research students.As of 2026
- ProfessorMotomu NakashimaPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorAkisue KuramotoPublications ↗
VoicesStudent voices
Compiled from answers by students who were in the lab. Ratings and reviews reflect individual students' experiences, not the lab's official views.
Students who take part in an interview may receive a thank-you gift worth ¥1,000, regardless of what they say.
On a 4-point scale, ● marks where students' answers fall
Who is this lab for?
What's great about this lab?
What did you learn after joining?
What's the vibe, and what is the professor like?
Where do graduates go?
RelatedLabs similar to Nakashima Lab
Miyazaki LabSchool of Engineering, Department of Systems and Control EngineeringInjury biomechanics, human systems modeling, sports engineer…
Yamakita LabSchool of Engineering, Department of Systems and Control EngineeringControl engineering, robotics, walking and running control, …
Imura LabSchool of Engineering, Department of Systems and Control EngineeringSystem control theory, systems biology, power systems, traff…
Hara LabSchool of Engineering, Department of Systems and Control EngineeringPrecision measurement, mechatronics, intelligent sensingThe information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Fresh journey” Stefano Mortellaro from Catania, Italy / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Motion Analysis with Musculoskeletal Models: “Tensegrity Dome” Bob Burkhardt / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Development of the SWUM Swimming Simulator: “Freestyle swim” Nevit Dilmen / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Development of Swimming Robots: “RobotFishCharlie” Central Intelligence Agency / Public domain (cropped)
- Tools for People with Disabilities: “Artificial prosthetic display, Civil War era, Museum of the Confederacy, Appomattox, Virginia” Farrargirl / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Miyazaki Lab): “Crash test dummies” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamakita Lab): “Robi by DeAGOSTINI” Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Imura Lab): “Berlin Air Route Traffic Control Center, 1987” Thomas Farr / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Hara Lab): “Scratch on glass surface, 3D topography ( )” ZEISS Microscopy from Germany / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
About LabLog
LabLog is a lab review app for students only. Student members at each university interview students in labs and publish what they say. Student voices can only be read by students who sign up with a university email address. Operated by bestiee Inc.
Learn more about LabLog ↗Search engines and AI may reference the basic lab info and rating summaries on this page and the description of LabLog. Student voices are for student members only. Automated collection by programs (scraping, or input to or training of AI) is prohibited under Article 8 of the Terms of Service. If you need data for research or analysis, please contact us.