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About

Akihiro Kosugi is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, assistive technology, and gerontechnology. His work focuses on developing socially acceptable robotic systems that enhance mobility, cognitive health, and social connectivity for vulnerable populations, including visually impaired individuals and older adults. Kosugi’s most impactful contribution is his 2022 study on autonomous navigation robots for visually impaired people in public buildings (21 citations), which uniquely examined acceptance from users, facility managers, and bystanders—a tripartite perspective critical for real-world deployment. He has also pioneered the use of conversational humanoid robots for early screening of mild cognitive impairment (13 citations), analyzing prosodic and acoustic features during natural interactions to detect dementia signs before clinical diagnosis. His earlier work on telepresence robots for senior communities (9 citations) and hands-free collaboration systems (5 citations) addresses the cognitive load challenges of remote communication, enabling inclusive participation across ages. Kosugi’s research is notable for its practical, human-centered approach, bridging engineering, psychology, and gerontology. His findings are shaping the design of robots that are not only functional but also trusted and welcomed in everyday environments, making him a key figure in the future of assistive robotics.