Chieko Asakawa

Chieko Asakawa is an IBM Fellow at T. J. Watson Research Center and IBM Distinguished Service Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. She concurrently serves as Chief Executive Director of the Japanese National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan). With over three decades of experience in accessibility research, Dr. Asakawa has pioneered numerous technologies that have significantly advanced web accessibility for the visually impaired, including groundbreaking work in digital Braille and voice browser technology.

Dr. Asakawa's research interests focus on developing cognitive assistant technologies that help blind individuals regain information by augmenting missing or weakened abilities through artificial intelligence. Her current work centers on practical applications for real-world navigation, including indoor navigation systems deployed at locations like Pittsburgh airport and shopping malls in Japan. She is leading the development of an innovative AI suitcase that enables blind users to navigate crowded or changing environments independently, enhancing their ability to enjoy urban spaces. Her research spans human-computer interaction, assistive robotics, computer vision, and AI applications for accessibility.

Dr. Asakawa's recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated AI-powered navigation and assistance systems for the visually impaired. Her work has evolved from foundational web accessibility research to cutting-edge applications that bridge digital and physical worlds. Current projects integrate large language models, computer vision, and robotics to create comprehensive assistance systems that address complex real-world challenges faced by blind individuals in various environments including museums, shopping malls, and urban settings.

Dr. Asakawa has received numerous professional honors, most notably:

• IBM Fellow - one of IBM's highest technical honors
• IBM Distinguished Service Professor at Carnegie Mellon University

Dr. Asakawa leads the Cognitive Assistance Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University, where she directs a team of researchers focused on advancing accessibility technologies. Her lab has secured significant research funding to develop practical navigation systems and other assistive technologies. She has mentored numerous researchers in the field of accessibility and has fostered collaborations between IBM Research, Carnegie Mellon University, and various institutions worldwide.

The Cognitive Assistance Laboratory, under Dr. Asakawa's leadership, has developed several notable projects including the AI Suitcase initiative, which helps visually-impaired users independently navigate urban environments. The lab has also deployed practical navigation systems at Pittsburgh airport and in Japanese shopping malls, demonstrating the real-world impact of their research. Current team projects focus on integrating advanced AI techniques with practical navigation assistance to create seamless experiences for blind users in complex environments.