Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Brian Draper is a prominent researcher in aged care and dementia, best known for his pioneering work investigating the therapeutic potential of social robotics for people living with dementia in long-term care settings. His most significant contribution is a landmark cluster-randomized controlled trial examining PARO, a therapeutic robotic seal, which has garnered 278 citations and established a rigorous evidence base for this innovative intervention. Draper and his collaborators demonstrated that PARO could meaningfully reduce agitation, improve mood, and influence sleep patterns and motor activity in people with dementia — findings reported across a suite of highly cited companion studies published between 2017 and 2018. Notably, his team also explored the cost-effectiveness of PARO, showing its potential to reduce psychotropic medication use — a finding with significant implications for care quality and health economics. With a body of work accumulating over 700 citations, Draper has substantially shaped international discourse on non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. His research exemplifies a commitment to improving quality of life for vulnerable older adults through evidence-based, compassionate innovation in aged care.