Pokuan Ho

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Pokuan Ho is a leading voice in human-robot interaction and gerontechnology, whose work fundamentally shapes how we design assistive robots for aging populations. Her research uniquely bridges engineering, psychology, and gerontology to uncover what makes technology truly acceptable to older adults. In her landmark mixed-methods study (87 citations), Dr. Ho applied socioemotional selectivity theory to demonstrate that older adults prioritize emotionally meaningful interactions over utilitarian function when accepting robots—a finding that has redefined design priorities for companion and care robots. Beyond this seminal work, her broader portfolio examines how features like anthropomorphism, perceived intelligence, and ease of use influence technology adoption among seniors. With a growing citation impact that continues to influence both academic research and industry design guidelines, Dr. Ho’s contributions are essential reading for anyone developing socially assistive robots or studying technology acceptance in later life. Her work ensures that the future of aged care technology is not only functional, but genuinely embraced by those it aims to serve.