Yuto Satake

About

Yuto Satake is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics, gerontechnology, and cognitive health, whose work focuses on improving the psychological well-being of older adults through assistive and companion robot technologies. His research has consistently addressed one of the most pressing challenges in aging societies — social isolation and loneliness among older adults, particularly those experiencing cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or late-onset psychosis. Satake's most influential contributions examine the real-world effects of companion robots deployed in home settings, exploring both their therapeutic benefits and the ethical complexities they raise, including concerns around emotional deception and unhealthy attachment. His longitudinal studies, including an 18-month home-use case series, break new ground by moving beyond short-term institutional trials toward sustained, community-based evidence. More recently, he has explored how large language model-powered conversational robots can serve as meaningful companions, reflecting his forward-looking integration of cutting-edge AI into caregiving contexts. With over 60 cumulative citations across eight key publications, Satake's work is gaining meaningful traction in gerontology and human-robot interaction communities. His systematic review and meta-analysis further underscore his commitment to evidence-based approaches, making him an increasingly influential voice in shaping ethical and effective technology-assisted care for aging populations.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Long-term effect of the absence of a companion robot on older adults: A preliminary pilot study

   21 citations · 2023
2. 2
   Social robot for older adults with cognitive decline: a preliminary trial

   13 citations · 2023
3. 3
   A Preliminary Study of Robotic Media Effects on Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Solitude

   7 citations · 2021
4. 4
   A Conversational Robot for Cognitively Impaired Older People Who Live Alone: An Exploratory Feasibility Study

   6 citations · 2025
5. 5
   A Week With a Conversational Large Language Model Companion Robot

   6 citations · 2025
6. 6
   Case report: A five−case series of 18−month home use of a conversational companion robot for psychological support in older people with mild cognitive impairment or late−onset psychosis

   3 citations · 2026
7. 7
   Autonomous conversational agents for loneliness, social isolation, depression, and anxiety in older people without cognitive impairment: Systematic review and meta-analysis

   3 citations · 2026
8. 8
   Use of a companion robot at home by older people with cognitive decline and psychosis: A case series with 18-month follow-up

   2 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links