I-Han Kuo

About

I-Han Kuo is a pioneering researcher in socially assistive robotics, with a particular focus on healthcare applications for older adults. Working primarily at the University of Auckland, Kuo has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between laboratory robotics and real-world human interaction, developing systems capable of supporting aging populations in both private and public settings. Kuo's most celebrated contribution is his work on the HealthBot system — a healthcare robot designed to improve medication adherence and quality of life among older people. His landmark randomised cross-over trial (2014, 54 citations) demonstrated the practical viability of deploying robots in domestic environments, while his broader HealthBot design and field trials work (48 citations) established foundational principles for socially assistive robotics outside controlled settings. His research spans the full development pipeline, from hardware and software platform design to human-robot interaction evaluation and multidisciplinary design methodologies. Notably, Kuo recognized the demographic urgency of his work early, addressing projected global aging trends as far back as 2008. With over 230 cumulative citations, his contributions have meaningfully advanced both the technical and human-centered dimensions of healthcare robotics, providing a vital roadmap for researchers and developers working to support aging populations worldwide.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Robots in Older People’s Homes to Improve Medication Adherence and Quality of Life: A Randomised Cross-Over Trial

   54 citations · 2014
2. 2
   Socially Assistive Robot HealthBot: Design, Implementation, and Field Trials

   48 citations · 2014
3. 3
   Multidisciplinary Design Approach for Implementation of Interactive Services

   27 citations · 2011
4. 4
   Design of a Kiosk Type Healthcare Robot System for Older People in Private and Public Places

   27 citations · 2014
5. 5
   Entertainment services of a healthcare robot system for older people in private and public spaces

   22 citations · 2015
6. 6
   Software platform design for personal service robots in healthcare

   13 citations · 2013
7. 7
   HRI Evaluation of a Healthcare Service Robot

   13 citations · 2012
8. 8
   Programming Behaviour of a Personal Service Robot with Application to Healthcare

   11 citations · 2012
9. 9
   Designing a robotic assistant for healthcare applications

   11 citations · 2008
10. 10
    An interactive robot for reminding medication to older people

    7 citations · 2012

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links