Tomoki ISHIKURA

Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Tomoki Ishikura is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, specializing in affective touch and emotional robotics. His work centers on designing robots capable of delivering gentle, human-like touch to elicit positive emotional and physiological responses, addressing critical gaps in caregiving and social robotics. Ishikura’s major contributions include demonstrating that a robot’s gentle stroke touch can boost positive emotions in humans, as shown in his 2022 study (16 citations), which explores the synergy between tactile and verbal cues. He further advanced the field by comparing human and robot touch on the back (2023, 7 citations), revealing nuanced differences in perceived pleasantness. His foundational 2020 study (3 citations) established a framework for affective touch robots, using subjective and physiological measures to validate the calming effects of stroking motions. Ishikura’s work has significant implications for caregiving technology, potentially mitigating stress and pain in vulnerable populations. His research is notable for its interdisciplinary approach, blending robotics, psychology, and physiology, and for its focus on replicating the subtlety of human touch—a key challenge in social robotics. With a growing citation impact, Ishikura is shaping the future of empathetic machines.