Sarah Okamoto

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Sarah Okamoto is a leading voice in human-robot interaction, with a focused expertise in socially assistive robotics (SAR) and the psychology of empathy. Her most-cited work, "Socially Assistive Robots as Storytellers that Elicit Empathy" (2022, 38 citations), is a foundational study that examines how robots can be designed not just to perform tasks, but to forge genuine emotional connections. By investigating the specific factors that influence a user’s ability to share feelings with a machine, Okamoto’s research bridges the gap between artificial intelligence and human emotional experience. Her contributions are critical for developing robots that can effectively support vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly, in therapeutic and educational settings. Through her work, Okamoto demonstrates that the future of robotics lies not in cold efficiency, but in the nuanced ability to tell stories and elicit care, establishing her as a key architect of more compassionate technology.