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About

Erina Okamura’s research sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, gerontechnology, and education, exploring how robotic systems can bridge generational and physical divides. Her most impactful work investigates the use of telepresence robots to enable elderly individuals—some as old as 91—to remotely teach schoolchildren, a novel approach that addresses both the challenges of an aging society and the need for intergenerational connection. In a pioneering field trial, she demonstrated that even those with physical limitations could actively participate in education from home, earning over 25 citations across related publications. Okamura also contributed to the social design of robots, specifying the requirements for a robot capable of high-fiving with humans—a gesture that enhances communication and rapport. Her work extends to ethnographic, participatory deployment in real classrooms, where a humanoid robot combined with a classroom social networking service supported remote teaching. By blending technical design with social impact, Okamura’s research offers a compelling vision of robots as facilitators of meaningful human connection, not just tools for automation.