Mariko Okuda

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About

Mariko Okuda investigates the critical intersection of human-robot interaction and social touch, focusing on how humans perceive and respond to humanoid robots in close-contact settings. Her research explores the symbiotic relationship between people and robots, particularly in caregiving, education, and hospitality environments where physical interaction is inevitable. In her most cited work, "Human Response to Humanoid Robot That Responds to Social Touch" (2022, 12 citations), Okuda demonstrates that a robot’s reaction to human touch significantly influences user comfort and emotional engagement. Her earlier study, "Effect of Humanoid Robot's Reaction on Human Touch to Robot" (2020, 4 citations), further reveals that the robot’s behavioral feedback—such as vocal or gestural responses—shapes the human’s willingness to initiate and sustain physical contact. These contributions are foundational for designing socially aware robots that can safely and intuitively interact with humans. Okuda’s work is particularly notable for addressing a gap in robotics: understanding how robots should respond to being touched, rather than just how they initiate touch. Her findings have implications for developing empathetic robotic companions in elder care and therapeutic settings.