Masato Saito

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About

Masato Saito is a researcher in human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on the psychological and affective dimensions of robotic movement. His work bridges robotics, psychology, and biosignal analysis to explore how humans perceive and respond to non-humanlike motion in autonomous systems. In his most-cited study, "Psychological Evaluation for Appearance of Swinging Robot," Saito investigates the emotional and physiological impact of a robot that moves in a swinging, non-linear pattern around a human user. By employing the Semantic Differential (SD) method alongside biosignal measurements, he demonstrates that even subtle variations in robotic locomotion—such as a modified virtual impedance controller—can significantly influence human comfort, trust, and aesthetic judgment. Though his citation count is modest, his work is notable for pioneering the integration of subjective psychological evaluation with objective physiological data in the context of mobile robot behavior. Saito’s research offers valuable insights for designing socially aware robots that move in ways that feel natural and reassuring to humans, contributing to the broader goal of seamless human-robot coexistence.