Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Hiroko Kase is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, gerontology, and dementia care, whose work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of how robotic technologies can improve the lives of older adults living with cognitive decline. With a career focused on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), Kase has championed innovative, non-pharmacological interventions as alternatives to traditional care approaches. Her most influential contribution, "A Conversational Robotic Approach to Dementia Symptoms" (2019, 19 citations), demonstrated that robotic mediation could meaningfully promote conversation and alleviate distressing BPSD symptoms in longitudinal settings. Building on this, her 2020 study on anxiety reduction through android robotic media (12 citations) highlighted the critical role such technologies play in combating social isolation — one of healthcare's most pressing challenges for aging populations. Kase's research spans robot-assisted reminiscence therapy, teleoperated humanoid robots in group care settings, and community-based solutions for preventing dementia-related isolation. Her controlled trial work addresses Japan's looming nursing staff shortage, framing intelligent robotics as a vital policy-relevant solution. Collectively, her scholarship has accumulated over 40 citations, establishing her as a forward-thinking voice shaping the future of compassionate, technology-driven eldercare.