Shawn Kemple

Papers

Total Citations

142

H-Index

About

Shawn Kemple’s research lies at the intersection of human-robot interaction and gerontechnology, with a focused mission to enhance the quality of life for older adults through therapeutic robotics. His work centers on understanding how companion robots, particularly the PARO seal robot, can provide socio-emotional support to aging populations. Kemple’s most influential paper, “Understanding the potential of PARO for healthy older adults” (2016), has garnered 91 citations and explores how this robotic pet can address the growing need for companionship in environments where live animals are impractical. In his earlier work, “Therapeutic robots for older adults” (2014, 32 citations), he systematically examined the limitations of animal-assisted therapy and proposed robotic alternatives as scalable solutions. His 2014 study on older adults’ perceptions of PARO’s usefulness (19 citations) further revealed critical insights into how seniors themselves view these technologies, highlighting barriers related to living situations and autonomy. Through these contributions, Kemple has helped shape the discourse on deploying socially assistive robots in elder care, demonstrating that thoughtful design and user-centered evaluation are key to successful adoption. His research continues to inform developers and caregivers seeking to integrate robotic companions into aging-in-place strategies.