Thomas Beer

University of Applied Sciences St. Gallen

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Thomas Beer is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and gerontechnology, with a primary focus on developing and evaluating social robot interventions for people with dementia. His most cited work, a systematic review from 2020 (53 citations), critically examines the effects and quality of reporting in this emerging field, establishing a rigorous evidence base for using non-pharmacological, technology-driven approaches in dementia care. Beer’s major contributions include identifying how social robots can help manage responsive behaviors, maintain functional capacity, and reduce emotional stress in individuals with dementia, while also highlighting methodological gaps in existing studies. His research has been instrumental in shaping best practices for deploying companion robots like Paro and AI-driven conversational agents in clinical and home settings. With a growing citation impact, Beer is recognized for bridging engineering, psychology, and geriatric medicine, and his work is frequently cited by interdisciplinary teams designing assistive technologies for aging populations. He continues to advocate for reproducible, high-quality reporting standards in social robotics, making him a pivotal voice in the movement toward ethical, effective, and person-centered robotic care.