Papers
7
Total Citations
62
H-Index
4
About
Hiroshi Kawakami is a pioneering researcher in accessible computing and robotics education, best known for developing P-CUBE, a tangible block-type programming tool designed to make coding accessible to visually impaired persons and novice programmers. His core research areas span assistive educational technology, human-computer interaction for the disabled, and evolutionary robotics—specifically the simultaneous design of sensory morphology and controllers for mobile robots. Kawakami’s most impactful contribution is the P-CUBE system, which allows users to program mobile robots by physically positioning wooden blocks on a mat, bypassing traditional screen-based interfaces. This work has garnered over 55 citations across multiple publications (2013–2016), with his foundational 2013 paper receiving 22 citations and its 2014 improvement earning 19. Notably, he extended P-CUBE with RFID-based tangible gimmicks to further enhance usability for visually impaired learners. Beyond education, Kawakami has explored manifold learning for dimensionality reduction in evolutionary robotics, optimizing sensor configurations for intelligent agents. His workshops and studies have demonstrated P-CUBE’s effectiveness compared to conventional coding software, cementing his role as a key innovator in inclusive programming education and human-robot interaction.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1P-CUBE: Block Type Programming Tool for Visual Impairments22 citations · 2013
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