Papers
14
Total Citations
338
H-Index
8
About
Chieko Asakawa is a pioneering researcher in assistive technology and accessible navigation, with a particular focus on empowering blind and visually impaired individuals through robotics and artificial intelligence. Her most celebrated contribution is CaBot (Carry-on roBot), an autonomous suitcase-shaped navigation robot designed to guide blind users through unfamiliar environments — a project that has garnered 167 citations and inspired a rich body of follow-on research. Building on this foundation, Asakawa has advanced indoor map-less navigation systems, adaptive robotic guides for museums and public buildings, and shared-control frameworks that give blind users greater agency over their robotic companions, moving beyond passive "omakase" assistance toward genuine collaboration. Her work consistently addresses real-world deployment challenges, examining how users, facility managers, and bystanders perceive and accept assistive robots in public spaces. More recently, she has explored AI-infused technologies supporting recreational experiences such as window shopping and museum exploration, reflecting her commitment to quality of life beyond mere mobility. With over 300 cumulative citations across her most prominent works, Asakawa's research stands as a foundational pillar in human-robot interaction and inclusive design, offering transformative pathways toward greater independence for blind communities worldwide.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1CaBot: Designing and Evaluating an Autonomous Navigation Robot for Blind People167 citations · 2019
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- 6Personalized Dynamics Models for Adaptive Assistive Navigation Systems13 citations · 2018
- 7WanderGuide: Indoor Map-less Robotic Guide for Exploration by Blind People12 citations · 2025
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- 9Field Trials of Autonomous Navigation Robot for Visually Impaired People5 citations · 2025
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