Yota Obayashi
Papers
1
Total Citations
21
H-Index
1
About
Yota Obayashi is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction and geriatric care, with a particular focus on how socially assistive robots can improve the emotional well-being of people living with dementia. In his highly cited pilot study, *"Positive Emotional Responses to Socially Assistive Robots in People With Dementia,"* Obayashi demonstrated that even brief interactions with companion robots can elicit measurable positive emotions, offering a promising, non-pharmacological intervention for reducing apathy and agitation in long-term care settings. This foundational work, which has already garnered 21 citations, has helped shift the conversation from robot feasibility to emotional impact. Obayashi’s research is distinguished by its careful, human-centered methodology—capturing subtle affective responses that are often overlooked in technical robotics studies. By bridging engineering and clinical psychology, he is shaping how we design technology for vulnerable populations. For students and researchers interested in the future of aging, assistive technology, or affective computing, Obayashi’s work offers a compelling model of how robots can serve not just as tools, but as companions that genuinely enhance quality of life.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1