Hiroshi Ishiguro
The University of Osaka, Osaka University of Economics, Wakayama University, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, Robotics Research (United States), Museum of Japanese Art Yamato Bunkakan, Toneyama National Hospital, Advanced Science, Technology & Management Research Institute of Kyoto, Kyoto University, Research Organization of Information and Systems, University of California San Diego, National Institute of Technology, Maizuru College, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kyoto University of Education, Kyoto Seika University, Human Computer Interaction (Switzerland), Osaka City University, University of San Diego, Kanazawa University, Technical University of Košice, National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics, Suita Municipal Hospital, University of Yamanashi, Osaka Health Science University, Yokkaichi University, Osaka University of Commerce, Osaka Prefectural Toyonaka Support School, Intelligent Systems Research (United States)
Papers
744
Total Citations
25,480
H-Index
81
About
Hiroshi Ishiguro stands as one of the world's most influential pioneers in humanoid robotics and human-robot interaction, whose work has fundamentally reshaped how we understand the boundaries between humans and machines. His research spans social robotics, android development, cognitive developmental robotics, and the psychology of human-machine relationships — areas in which he has accumulated an extraordinary citation record exceeding 4,500 citations across his most recognized works alone. Ishiguro is perhaps best known for his exploration of androids as tools for cognitive and social science research, arguing provocatively that near-perfect human replicas offer uniquely controllable experimental apparatuses — a contribution cited nearly 640 times. His investigations into the "uncanny valley" phenomenon, examined through fMRI neuroimaging, revealed how human perception systems respond distinctively to humanoid motion and appearance. Equally influential is his long-term fieldwork placing robots in schools and shopping malls, demonstrating that robots can form genuine social relationships with children and navigate real-world conversational dynamics. His framework of cognitive developmental robotics, articulated across multiple landmark papers, established a new paradigm for designing robots that learn and develop like humans. For students of robotics, AI, or cognitive science, Ishiguro's career represents an audacious, deeply interdisciplinary vision of robots as authentic social beings.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2The uncanny advantage of using androids in cognitive and social science research639 citations · 2006
- 3Cognitive Developmental Robotics: A Survey546 citations · 2009
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- 8Footing in human-robot conversations385 citations · 2009
- 9How to approach humans?300 citations · 2009
- 10An affective guide robot in a shopping mall297 citations · 2009