Hello, this is Takuto Akiyoshi, a third-year doctoral student.

On December 11, I gave my presentation at my doctoral dissertation defense. The title of my talk was “Active Listening of an Interactive Hugging Robot.” Addressing the social issue of mental health support, my research explores how an interactive robot capable of hugging can engage with people, and what kinds of effects such interactions can produce.
The session consisted of a 40-minute presentation of my research, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session. Surrounded by my supervisors, committee members, and junior lab members, I was quite nervous, but I managed to get through it successfully. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all the guidance and support I have received up to this point.
As I move toward completing the final version of my dissertation, I will continue to do my best over the next few months!

My reflections immediately after the presentation [1], as well as my renewed determination and passion for my research after a night’s rest [2], are shared in the essays linked below—please feel free to take a look!
[1]https://note.com/tri_psyche/n/na2eac2af9b60
[2]https://note.com/tri_psyche/n/nd69e821f17dc