Hiroyuki Manabe

Papers

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About

Hiroyuki Manabe’s research centers on humanoid robotics, human-robot interaction, and communication technologies, with a particular focus on how robots can serve as intuitive, life-sized interfaces for interpersonal connection. His most cited work, “Life size humanoid robot that reproduces gestures as a communication terminal: appearance considerations” (2004, 3 citations), proposes a groundbreaking application: using a humanoid robot not merely as a machine, but as a communication terminal that reproduces human gestures to enhance social presence. In this study, Manabe introduces a life-size robot designed for natural, face-to-face interaction, initially restricted to a motorized chair for simplicity, yet capable of operating in three distinct service modes—chat, email, and more. This early work laid conceptual groundwork for embodied telepresence, emphasizing the critical role of appearance and gesture in making robots effective communication partners. While his citation count remains modest, Manabe’s contributions are notable for their forward-thinking vision, anticipating today’s interest in socially assistive robots and remote presence avatars. His research continues to inspire students and researchers exploring how robots can bridge physical distance through lifelike, gesture-based interaction.