Mineko Wada

University of British Columbia, Hiroshima University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Mineko Wada is a leading researcher in gerontechnology, specializing in the integration of robotic systems to enhance social connectedness and quality of life in long-term care settings. Her work critically examines how mobile telepresence robots can mitigate social isolation among older adults—a challenge exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In her highly cited scoping review (2022, 58 citations), Wada systematically identified facilitators and barriers to deploying telepresence robots in aged care, providing a foundational framework for future implementation. Her subsequent cross-sectional study (2023) assessed staff attitudes toward these technologies in Canadian long-term care homes, drawing on the Health Technology Assessment Core Model to evaluate nine key domains, from usability to ethical considerations. By centering the perspectives of frontline caregivers, Wada’s research bridges the gap between technological innovation and real-world care environments. Her contributions are pivotal for policymakers and designers aiming to deploy socially assistive robots that are both practical and person-centered. With a growing citation impact, Wada is shaping the evidence base for age-friendly technology adoption, ensuring that robotic solutions truly serve the needs of vulnerable populations.