Satu Pekkarinen
Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Tampere University
Papers
25
Total Citations
679
H-Index
11
About
Satu Pekkarinen is a leading Finnish researcher specializing in care robotics, digital welfare services, and the sociotechnical dimensions of aging and elderly care. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, social policy, and human-centered care, making her a prominent voice in the global conversation about the future of elder care. Pekkarinen's most influential contribution, "Impacts of robot implementation on care personnel and clients in elderly-care institutions" (2019), has garnered 181 citations and remains a foundational reference for understanding how robotic technologies affect both caregivers and recipients in institutional settings. Her research consistently interrogates critical questions around autonomy, loneliness, and human dignity — exploring whether robots can meaningfully address late-life isolation or support residents' independence in assisted living facilities. Beyond user experience, Pekkarinen examines the broader innovation ecosystems and sociotechnical transitions shaping welfare robotics, particularly within Finland and across Europe. Her cross-national comparative work on care robot orientation for assistant nurses further demonstrates her commitment to practical implementation challenges. With over 580 cumulative citations, her scholarship bridges technological possibility with ethical responsibility, offering students and researchers a nuanced framework for evaluating digital transformation in one of society's most human-centered domains.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Care Robot Orientation: What, Who and How? Potential Users’ Perceptions71 citations · 2020
- 3“Robots do not replace a nurse with a beating heart”67 citations · 2018
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