Sara Asai

Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Sara Asai is a researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and affective computing, with a primary focus on designing emotionally intelligent robotic systems that can engage in cooperative, persuasive dialogue. Her most-cited work, "Eliciting Cooperative Persuasive Dialogue by Multimodal Emotional Robot" (2022), has garnered 8 citations and represents a key contribution to the field by demonstrating how robots can use multimodal emotional cues—such as facial expressions, vocal tone, and gesture—to foster user cooperation and trust. This research advances the understanding of how social robots can move beyond simple task execution to become effective partners in negotiation, education, and healthcare settings. Asai’s work is notable for its integration of psychological theories of persuasion with engineering principles, offering a roadmap for developing robots that are not only functional but also socially adept. Her findings have implications for designing more natural and effective human-robot interactions, positioning her as an emerging voice in the growing dialogue on ethical and empathetic AI.