Deneth Karunarathne

Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, The University of Osaka

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Deneth Karunarathne is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and assistive robotics, with a focus on designing robots that can naturally and safely accompany people in public spaces. His most influential work explores how older adults perceive and accept a humanoid robot as a walking partner—a study that has garnered 39 citations and highlights the social and ergonomic challenges of robotic companionship. Karunarathne further advanced this domain by developing a model for side-by-side walking that enables a robot to maintain pace and position without knowing the human’s intended destination, a contribution cited 28 times for its practical implications in mobility assistance. More recently, his research on continuous robot observations of public environments (7 citations) lays groundwork for robots that learn and adapt to dynamic settings. Collectively, his work addresses critical gaps in autonomous navigation and user acceptance, offering foundational insights for robots that can serve as walking aids or social companions. Karunarathne’s contributions are particularly notable for their emphasis on real-world deployment and user-centered design, making him a key voice in the future of assistive robotics.