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About

Yukitaka Kawaguchi is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a specific focus on the therapeutic applications of social robots for elderly care. His work centers on the seal robot Paro, investigating how long-term interaction with this robotic companion can improve quality of life. Kawaguchi’s major contributions include landmark longitudinal studies, such as a five-year case study of robot therapy in a health service facility for the aged, which demonstrated sustained positive effects. He also conducted groundbreaking research on people living with Paro at home, using questionnaires to understand owner backgrounds and the real-world integration of service robots. To quantify the physiological impact, Kawaguchi employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity during and after interaction with Paro, revealing neural correlates of relaxation and engagement. With his most cited paper accumulating 53 citations, his work has been instrumental in validating robot therapy as a viable alternative to animal-assisted therapy, addressing concerns like allergies and infections. Kawaguchi’s research provides critical evidence for the emotional and cognitive benefits of social robots, shaping the future of assistive technology in geriatric care.