Papers
20
Total Citations
175
H-Index
7
About
Misato Nihei is a prominent researcher specializing in assistive robotics, human-robot interaction, and gerontechnology, with a particular focus on developing technological solutions to support elderly individuals and persons with dementia. Her work spans two major domains: mobility assistance and socially assistive robots (SARs), reflecting a comprehensive vision for enhancing the independence and quality of life of aging populations. Nihei's most influential contribution is her pioneering development of information support robots (ISRs) for persons with dementia, demonstrated through field-based methodologies that prioritize real-world usability — a body of work that has garnered over 34 citations in its foundational study alone. Her research rigorously examines how robots can reduce agitation in Alzheimer's patients, improve daily activity patterns, and foster verbal human-robot interaction through self-disclosure techniques. She has also made significant early contributions to mobility assistive robotics, including the "Tread Walk" system designed to address hemiplegic gait asymmetry following stroke. What distinguishes Nihei's scholarship is her commitment to ecological validity — consistently evaluating interventions within actual living environments and care settings. Her critical attention to methodological concerns, including subject selection bias in robot intervention studies, further underscores her rigor. With cumulative citations exceeding 130, her work continues to shape the future of robot-assisted elder care.
Research Focus
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