Ryohei Watanabe

University of Tsukuba, University of Tsukuba Hospital

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ryohei Watanabe is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of geriatric care and human-robot interaction, with a focused expertise in the early detection of cognitive decline. His major contribution lies in developing innovative, non-invasive methods to screen for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) by analyzing natural conversations with humanoid robots. Rather than relying on traditional neuropsychological exams, Watanabe’s work leverages prosodic and acoustic features from everyday dialogue to identify early signs of dementia. His most cited paper, "Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment Through Conversations With Humanoid Robots" (2022), has garnered 13 citations and establishes a novel framework for integrating socially assistive robots into clinical screening. A subsequent study (2021) further refines this approach, demonstrating how conversational robots can serve dual roles—enhancing quality of life for the elderly while simultaneously collecting diagnostic data. By transforming companion robots into diagnostic tools, Watanabe addresses a critical global health challenge: the need for scalable, early detection of dementia. His work is particularly notable for its practical, human-centered design, offering a path toward more accessible and less intimidating cognitive assessments for aging populations.