Novel Intelligent Systems & Advanced Robotics

NISAR Laboratory

Designing robots for human-centric, real-world applications.

Department of Mechanical and Electrical Systems Engineering · Faculty & Graduate School of Engineering
Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) · Uzumasa Campus, Kyoto, Japan

We build intelligent robotic systems that work alongside people — from robot-assisted surgery and wearable haptics to soft manipulators and assistive mobility. Our work blends mechanism design, AI, and human–machine interaction to make robots safer, more intuitive, and genuinely useful in healthcare, mobility, and beyond.

Medical & Surgical Robotics Haptics Soft Manipulators & Actuators AI-Powered Human–Machine Systems
75+
Peer-reviewed papers
12
Awards & honors
4
Core research themes
10+
Researchers & students

Dr. Sajid Nisar earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering & Science (Robotics) from Kyoto University. His research spans robots for surgery, innovative mechanism design, haptics for medical and mobility applications, and soft manipulator design. He was previously a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Center for Design Research, and earlier led a nationally-funded project on a surgical robotic trainer and served as a senior mechanical engineer at the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad.

He holds Japan's JSPS Fellowship for Young Scientists and Kyoto University's GSS Fellowship, and received the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Japan Chapter Young Award 2019 and the Engineering Dean's Award 2018 from Kyoto University. He was selected for the Interstellar Initiative 2019–20 (AMED & New York Academy of Sciences), and has been recognized as an Outstanding / Best Associate Editor at the IEEE World Haptics and ICRA conferences.

Research themes

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Medical & Surgical Robotics

Teleoperated surgical systems and specialized, intrinsically-safe robotic instruments that bring the surgeon and patient closer together.

teleoperationsurgical instrumentssafety

Haptics & Human–Machine Interaction

Wearable and world-grounded haptic devices delivering kinesthetic and tactile feedback for teleoperation, training, and mixed reality.

wearable hapticskinesthetic feedbackmixed reality
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Soft Manipulators & Actuators

Soft pneumatic actuators, adaptive grippers, and 3D-printed compliant mechanisms for safe, versatile manipulation.

soft roboticsgrippers3D printing
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AI-Powered & Assistive Robotics

Human-centered systems for mobility and rehabilitation — power-wheelchair safety, prosthetics, exoskeletons, and bipedal robots.

assistive techmobilityprosthetics

Current & Past Funders and Sponsors

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JSPS KAKENHI MEXT AMED U.S. National Academy of Medicine New York Academy of Sciences Kyoto University of Advanced Science Kyoto University GSS Program Korea Robotics Society AsiaHaptics Hyundai Motor Group SEWA International

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Latest news

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Selected publications

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Interested in joining?

We welcome motivated students and researchers in robotics, mechatronics, haptics, and AI. Prospective Master's / Ph.D. students, research interns, and undergraduate project students are encouraged to reach out.