Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Johannes Pantel is a prominent researcher whose work sits at the intersection of gerontology, eldercare, and social robotics. Based at a German-speaking institution, Pantel has dedicated much of his scholarly career to understanding how emotional and social robots can address the growing challenges posed by global demographic aging, particularly the pressing shortage of qualified healthcare personnel in countries like Japan and Germany. Pantel's most influential contribution, "Acceptance of Social Robots by Elder People: Does Psychosocial Functioning Matter?" (2017), has garnered 94 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in examining whether older adults are psychologically and socially prepared to embrace robotic companions. His research on emotionally responsive robots such as Paro and Pleo has been especially significant, offering empirical analyses of their real-world deployment in care settings and their measurable effects on residents' wellbeing. A recurring theme across his body of work is the gap between theoretical promise and evidence-based practice in robot-assisted eldercare. By consistently interrogating what "emotional" truly means in robotic contexts, Pantel has helped sharpen both the conceptual vocabulary and practical standards of the field, making his scholarship essential reading for students, clinicians, and technology developers working on solutions for aging populations.