Naoki Umeda
Papers
1
Total Citations
6
H-Index
1
About
Naoki Umeda is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on how tactile sensations and first impressions shape our perception of social robots. His work bridges cognitive science and robotics, exploring the nuanced ways that touch—often overlooked in human-robot studies—modulates personality judgments. In his most cited paper, “The first impressions of small humanoid robots modulate the process of how touch affects personality what they are” (2021, 6 citations), Umeda reveals that initial visual impressions of a robot can fundamentally alter how subsequent tactile feedback influences perceived personality traits. This finding challenges simplistic models of robot perception, showing that touch’s effect is not direct but mediated by prior expectations. Umeda’s contributions are vital for designing more intuitive and socially acceptable robots, particularly in caregiving or educational settings where first impressions and physical interaction are critical. Though his citation count is modest, his work is conceptually rich, offering a new framework for understanding the dynamic interplay between vision and touch in human-robot encounters. His research is essential reading for students and engineers aiming to create robots that feel genuinely personable.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1