Papers
29
Total Citations
238
H-Index
10
About
Yutaka Hiroi is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, specializing in the psychological and physical factors that shape how people perceive and accept robots. His key research areas include robot size perception, proxemics, and the design of socially aware service robots. Hiroi’s most influential work investigates the relationship between robot size and psychological threat, demonstrating that larger robots evoke greater fear and anxiety—a finding that has shaped the design of human-friendly robots. His studies on “subjective acceptable distance” and the impact of robot height on comfort during verbal interaction have provided foundational insights for creating robots that respect personal space. With over 160 citations across his top papers, Hiroi’s contributions extend to practical systems like the ASAHI robot, which uses a “robot avatar” to improve familiarity for elderly users, and semi-autonomous navigation that balances safety with social comfort. His work on pedestrian avoidance and player detection for outdoor games further highlights his commitment to robots that coexist seamlessly with humans. Hiroi’s research remains essential for engineers and designers aiming to build robots that are both functional and psychologically acceptable.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 6Influence of the height of a robot on comfortableness of verbal interaction13 citations · 2016
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- 9A Pedestrian Avoidance Method Considering Personal Space for a Guide Robot11 citations · 2019
- 10A Patient Care Service Robot System Based on a State Transition Architecture11 citations · 2003