Kaito Nakamura

Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Kaito Nakamura is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a distinctive focus on the lifelikeness of social robots and their impact on human perception. His work explores how mimicking biological processes—such as egg-laying—can enhance the perceived animacy and emotional connection between robots and people, particularly children and parents. In his highly creative 2024 study, Nakamura demonstrated that a robot capable of laying eggs significantly increased mind perception in both children and adults, opening new avenues for designing more natural and emotionally resonant robotic companions. Though early in its citation impact, this work has already sparked interest for its novel approach to robot lifelikeness, moving beyond traditional appearance and behavior to incorporate life-cycle events. Nakamura’s research sits at the intersection of developmental psychology, robotics, and design, offering fresh insights into how we build relationships with machines. His contributions are especially relevant for educational and therapeutic robotics, where emotional engagement is key. As the field of social robotics evolves, Nakamura’s work promises to shape how we think about what makes a robot feel truly alive.