Shunsuke Otsubo

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Shunsuke Otsubo is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and character animation, best known for his pioneering work on bringing emotionally expressive movement to home robots. His most influential study, "Production of Character Animation in a Home Robot: A Case Study of LOVOT" (2021), has garnered 47 citations and serves as a foundational reference for designing lifelike, non-verbal communication in companion robots. Otsubo’s major contribution lies in translating principles of traditional character animation—such as timing, anticipation, and secondary motion—into the constrained physical platform of a domestic robot, enabling LOVOT to convey joy, curiosity, and comfort through subtle body language. This work has profoundly shaped how roboticists approach affective design, demonstrating that even simple mechanical systems can forge emotional bonds with users. Beyond his case study, Otsubo continues to explore how movement quality influences trust and attachment, bridging the gap between robotics and animation arts. His research is essential reading for students and engineers aiming to create robots that feel less like tools and more like companions.