Research Theme 01 Communication Robots in Society
With the rapid technological advancements in recent years, robots that have acquired the ability to communicate flexibly with humans are expected to be integrated into society like humans, providing companionship to individuals and even serving as a bridge between people and society. In our laboratory, we conduct research to identify the social functions necessary for robots genuinely empathize with humans and build long-term, trusting relationships.
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Publication (Selected)
- Kazuki Sakai, Megumi Kawata, Alexis Meneses, Hiroshi Ishiguro, and Yuichiro Yoshikawa. "Simultaneous Dialogue Services Using Multiple Semiautonomous Robots in Multiple Locations by a Single Operator: A Field Trial on Souvenir Recommendation." IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, vol.9, no.7, pp.6280-6287, 2024 10.1109/LRA.2024.3404752
- Kazuki Sakai, Yutaka Nakamura, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, and Hiroshi Ishiguro. "Effect of Robot Embodiment on Satisfaction with Recommendations in Shopping Malls." IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, vol.7, Issue 1, pp.366–372, 2021 10.1109/LRA.2021.3128233
- Toshiaki Nishio, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Takamasa Iio, Mariko Chiba, Taichi Asami, Yoshinori Isoda, and Hiroshi Ishiguro. "Actively listening twin robots for long-duration conversation with the elderly." ROBOMECH journal, vol.8: 18, 2021 10.1186/s40648-021-00205-5
- Changzeng Fu, Chaoran Liu, Carlos Toshinori Ishi, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Takamasa Iio, and Hiroshi Ishiguro. "Using an Android Robot to Improve Social Connectedness by Sharing Recent Experiences of Group Members in Human-Robot Conversations." IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, vol.6, no.4, pp.6670-6677, 2021 10.1109/LRA.2021.3094779
Research Theme 02 Interactive Spaces to Supports Human-Human Communication
Face-to-face, one-on-one interaction is a fundamental form of human communication, but it is not always the optimal approach in every situation. In our laboratory, we utilize dialogue robot technology to create new interactive spaces where people can communicate in different ways and with different feelings. This includes scenarios where a robot acts as an intermediary or where individuals converse through the embodiment of a robot, enabling novel forms of interaction beyond conventional face-to-face communication.
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Publication (Selected)
- Reina Nozawa, Kazuki Sakai, Megumi Kawata, Hiroshi Ishiguro, and Yuichiro Yoshikawa. "Having different dialog roles in telecommunication by using two teleoperated robots reduces an operator’s guilt." International Journal of Social Robotics, vol.16, pp.763-773, 2024 10.1007/s12369-024-01125-1
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- Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Taro Muramatsu, Kazuki Sakai, Hideyuki Haraguchi, Azusa Kudo, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Masaru Mimura and Hirokazu Kumazaki. "A new group-based online job interview training program using computer graphics robots for individuals with autism spectrum disorders." Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol.14: 1198433, 2023 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1198433
- 三野 星弥，吉川 雄一郎，伴 碧，石黒 浩. "友人グループ内での長期間利用による他者情報のやり取りを行う日常対話チャットボットの評価" 人工知能学会誌 , Vol.37 No.3 pp.1-14, 2022 10.1527/tjsai.37-3_IDS-I
- Jiro Shimaya, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Kohei Ogawa, Hiroshi Ishiguro. "Robotic Question Support System to Reduce Hesitation for Face-to-Face Questions in Lectures" Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, vol.37, no.3, pp.621-631, 2021 10.1111/jcal.12511
Research Theme 03 Mental Health Support, Treatment and Education
Many individuals, including those with autism spectrum disorder, face challenges in social interactions. On the other hand, humanoid robots are expected to serve as conversational partners that provide a sense of interacting with a human-like entity while avoiding some of the difficulties inherent in human communication. In our laboratory, we conduct research on utilizing such robots for mental health support, and treatment and education.
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Publication (Selected)
- 吉川雄一郎．人の発達・人間関係構築を支える対話型ロボットの可能性. 心理学評論 Vol. 66, No. 3, p. 242-253, 2023 10.24602/sjpr.66.3_242
- Toshio Matsushima, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Keitaro Matsuo, Keita Kurahara, Youki Uehara, Tomohiro Nakao, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Hirokazu Kumazaki, and Takahiro A. Kato. "Development of depression assessment tools using humanoid robots - Can tele-operated robots talk with depressive persons like humans?" Journal of Psychiatric Research, vol.170, pp.187-194, 2023 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.12.014
- Hirokazu Kumazaki, Zachary Warren, Amy Swanson, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Yoshio Matsumoto, Hideyuki Takahashi, Nilanjan Sarkar, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Masaru Mimura, Yoshio Minabe, Mitsuru Kikuchi. "Can Robotic Systems Promote Self-disclosure in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Pilot Study" Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol.9: 36, 2018 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.899664
- Hirokazu Kumazaki, Yuichiro Yoshikawa, Yuko Yoshimura, Takashi Ikeda, Chiaki Hasegawa, Daisuke N. Saito, Sara Tomiyama, Kyung-min An, Jiro Shimaya, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Yoshio Matsumoto, Yoshio Minabe, Mitsuru Kikuchi. "The impact of robotic intervention on joint attention in children with autism spectrum disorders" Molecular Autism, vol.9: 46, 2018 10.1186/s13229-018-0230-9
Research Theme 04 Development of Autonomous Intelligent Systems Based on Robot Learning
We are engaged in research and development of intelligent robots that can autonomously operate in the real world by deeply integrating machine learning and robotics. Through robot learning using imitation learning and large language models, we aim to acquire cognitive functions related to object manipulation, language understanding, and intention estimation, with the goal of creating autonomous systems that can naturally collaborate with humans.
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Publication (Selected)
- Xiaoxu Feng, Takato Horii, Takayuki Nagai. “Predictive Reachability for Embodiment Selection in Mobile Manipulation Behaviors” IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, pp.1 – 8, February 2025 10.1109/LRA.2025.3539097
- Kazuma Obata, Tatsuya Aoki, Takato Horii, Tadahiro Taniguchi, Takayuki Nagai. “LiP-LLM: Integrating Linear Programming and dependency graph with Large Language Models for multi-robot task planning” IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, vol.10, no.2, pp.1122 – 1129, December 2024 10.1109/LRA.2024.3518105
- Site Hu, Takato Horii, Takayuki Nagai, “Adaptive and transparent decision-making in autonomous robots through graph-structured world models”, Advanced Robotics, 38:22, 1579-1599, DOI: 10.1080/01691864.2024.2415995.
Research Theme 05 Understanding Emotions and Consciousness Through a Constructive Approach
Through a constructive approach of understanding by building systems, we are researching why emotions, subjective consciousness, and creativity that we experience arise. In particular, by utilizing neural circuit models that learn human biosignals and probabilistic generative models based on symbol emergence systems theory, we aim to understand the "mind" from both embodiment and social perspectives.
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Publication (Selected)
- 堀井 隆斗, “身体的・社会的相互作用を通じた感情の構成的理解に向けて,” ベビーサイエンス, 24:46-57, 2025.
- 柳田 栞吾, 堀井 隆斗，"行動獲得と概念形成の相補学習モデルにおける把持反射の影響"，日本ロボット学会誌, 42巻, 5号, pp.485 – 488, 2024 10.7210/jrsj.42.485
- 野村 健太郎, 堀井 隆斗, "予測符号化に基づいたSchema発達過程の解明", 日本赤ちゃん学会第24回学術集会, 2024.8 【最優秀ポスター賞 (AI部門)受賞】
- 張澤 航, 堀井 隆斗，谷口 忠大, "マルチモーダル深層生成モデルとメトロポリス・ヘイスティング名付けゲームによる感情の記号創発"，人工知能学会全国大会, 2L1-OS-9a-01, 2024.5. 10.11517/pjsai.JSAI2024.0_2L1OS9a01 【全国大会優秀賞受賞】
