Hiroko Sugiura
Papers
2
Total Citations
21
H-Index
2
About
Hiroko Sugiura is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of mental healthcare and human-robot interaction. Her work focuses on developing service robots to support individuals with schizophrenia, addressing critical gaps in medication adherence and social engagement. Her most cited paper, "Use of communication robots to converse with people suffering from schizophrenia" (2020, 16 citations), demonstrates how robotic systems can provide consistent, non-judgmental interaction to complement limited human resources like visiting nurses. Building on this, her 2021 study (5 citations) employs Grounded Theory Analysis to understand patient impressions and refine robot design for medication support. Sugiura's contributions are particularly significant given the chronic shortage of mental health specialists; her robots offer scalable, stigma-free assistance that encourages treatment compliance. By merging robotics with clinical psychology, she creates practical tools that improve quality of life for patients with schizophrenia. Her work represents a compassionate, innovative approach to mental health technology—showing how robots can become trusted partners in long-term care, not replacements for human connection but bridges to better health outcomes.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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