Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Yuichiro Fujimoto is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and affective computing, with a focus on how robots can use touch and speech to influence human emotions and well-being. His major contributions center on demonstrating that a robot’s gentle stroking, when synchronized with vocal prosody, can boost positive emotions and even provide measurable pain relief—a finding with profound implications for healthcare robotics and therapeutic applications. Fujimoto’s most cited work, “Robot touch with speech boosts positive emotions” (16 citations), established that combining tactile and verbal cues amplifies emotional benefits beyond either modality alone. He further showed that vocal synchrony enhances affective empathy, and that a robot’s coordinated stroking and speech can mitigate perceived pain. His research also explores social robotics for daily life, such as robots that play video games with users to foster conversation and fun. By systematically evaluating the optimal pace of touch and rate of speech, Fujimoto is laying the groundwork for “touch-care” robots that can deliver human-like comfort and companionship—a vital step toward integrating robots into caregiving and mental health support.