Hirofumi Kikuchi

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Hirofumi Kikuchi’s research centers on the nuanced dynamics of human-computer interaction, particularly within chat-oriented spoken dialogue systems. His work explores how subtle linguistic features—such as repetitive utterances and backchannels—can shape user engagement and emotional resonance in conversational AI. In his most-cited paper, “The Effect of the Repetitive Utterances Complexity on User’s Desire to Continue Dialogue by a Chat-oriented Spoken Dialogue System” (2022), Kikuchi investigates how mimicking human conversational patterns, like echoing a speaker’s words, can foster empathy and sustain dialogue. By demonstrating that the complexity of these repetitions influences users’ willingness to continue interacting, he provides critical insights for designing more natural and socially aware dialogue agents. Though his citation count is still emerging, his work addresses a fundamental challenge in human-robot interaction: bridging the gap between mechanical responses and authentic, empathetic communication. Kikuchi’s contributions are particularly relevant for researchers developing chatbots, virtual assistants, and social robots that aim to create more engaging, human-like exchanges. His findings offer a pathway toward more intuitive and emotionally intelligent systems, marking him as a thoughtful voice in the evolving field of spoken dialogue technology.