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About

Taishi Sawabe is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and affective computing, whose work explores how robots can provide emotional and physical comfort through touch, speech, and social presence. His most cited paper, "Robot touch with speech boosts positive emotions" (16 citations), demonstrates that combining gentle robotic touch with verbal interaction significantly enhances positive emotional responses in humans, building on foundational work in care robotics. Sawabe’s research extends to autonomous navigation for personal mobility vehicles, where his 2015 paper on collision prediction in blind occluded regions (15 citations) addresses passenger stress reduction, a critical factor for real-world adoption of robotic wheelchairs. He has also introduced innovative concepts like "TSUNDERE Interaction," which applies a cold-then-kind behavioral model to reinforce desired user actions, and explored pain relief through robotic stroking paired with speech. His work on an egg-laying robot, designed to enhance perceptions of lifelikeness in children and parents, showcases his creativity in making robots feel more alive. With a growing citation record and a focus on practical, emotionally intelligent robotics, Sawabe is shaping how robots can become trusted companions in healthcare, daily life, and beyond.