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About

Taichi Hirayama investigates the subtle dynamics of human-robot interaction, focusing on how robots can communicate more effectively through non-verbal behaviors and multi-agent scenarios. His research centers on two key areas: the design of physical interactions like touching and patting, and the development of culturally-aware apology strategies for social robots. Hirayama’s work on robot-robot interaction demonstrates that indirect communication between machines can influence human perception more powerfully than direct human-robot exchanges, with his 2022 paper on the speed boundary between patting and slapping establishing foundational principles for physical contact in robotics. His 2024 studies on bowing behaviors and apology severity provide crucial frameworks for robots to recover from errors, while his cross-cultural analysis of apologizing robots reveals significant differences between U.S. and Japanese users, showing that multiple robots can enhance trust and acceptance in apology scenarios. With over 14 citations across his most influential papers, Hirayama’s contributions are shaping how robots navigate social mistakes and physical interactions, making his work essential reading for researchers developing more socially adept and culturally competent robotic systems.