Nak Young Chong

About

Nak Young Chong is a distinguished robotics researcher whose work spans socially assistive robotics, multi-robot systems, human-robot interaction, and autonomous navigation. Based at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Chong has made pioneering contributions across several decades of robotics research that bridge fundamental control theory and real-world humanitarian applications. Among his most celebrated achievements is his leadership in the CARESSES project, which produced a landmark randomised controlled trial (101 citations) demonstrating how culturally competent artificial intelligence embedded in social robots can meaningfully support older adult wellbeing — a breakthrough at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and cultural sensitivity. His earlier theoretical groundwork in decentralized flocking algorithms (86 citations) and RFID-based robot navigation (83 citations) established robust frameworks for autonomous multi-robot coordination and indoor positioning. His development of the JAIST Active Robotic Walker and its intent-based movement control system (74 and 67 citations respectively) reflects a sustained commitment to assistive technologies for aging populations. Chong's neural network approach to inverse kinematics (77 citations) and multi-telerobot coordination research (72 citations) further demonstrate his versatility. With pioneering position papers on culturally competent robots (62 citations) and personalized proxemics learning (61 citations), Chong continues shaping the ethical and social frontiers of human-robot interaction.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The CARESSES Randomised Controlled Trial: Exploring the Health-Related Impact of Culturally Competent Artificial Intelligence Embedded Into Socially Assistive Robots and Tested in Older Adult Care Homes

   101 citations · 2021
2. 2
   A Decentralized and Adaptive Flocking Algorithm for Autonomous Mobile Robots

   86 citations · 2008
3. 3
   Direction Sensing RFID Reader for Mobile Robot Navigation

   83 citations · 2008
4. 4
   Inverse kinematics learning by modular architecture neural networks with performance prediction networks

   77 citations · 2002
5. 5
   Design and control of JAIST active robotic walker

   74 citations · 2010
6. 6
   Remote coordinated controls in multiple telerobot cooperation

   72 citations · 2002
7. 7
   Walking Intent-Based Movement Control for JAIST Active Robotic Walker

   67 citations · 2013
8. 8
   Paving the way for culturally competent robots: A position paper

   62 citations · 2017
9. 9
   Learning Proxemics for Personalized Human–Robot Social Interaction

   61 citations · 2019
10. 10
    RFID-based mobile robot guidance to a stationary target

    59 citations · 2007

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links