Meenakshi Balakrishnan

Meenakshi Balakrishnan is a Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, where he leads the ASSISTECH Lab. His work focuses on system-level design and embedded systems, particularly through cost-effective assistive technologies for the visually impaired. He has developed solutions like the SmartCane, OnBoard bus system, and DotBook Braille laptop, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, electrical engineering, and product design.

• ACM Fellows (2021)
• ACM Eugene L. Lawler Award (2018)
• ACM Senior Member (2009)

His research spans mobility and education challenges in the developing world, integrating hardware, software, and firmware for real-world deployment. The lab trains students in full-cycle solution development, including visually impaired researchers, and collaborates with non-profits, government agencies, and for-profit organizations globally.

The ASSISTECH Lab's innovations, such as tactile diagrams via the non-profit Raised Lines Foundation, aim to democratize access to STEM education and reduce costs to 5% of Western alternatives. Ongoing projects include MAVI (Mobility Assistant) and RAVI (Reading Assistant) for the visually impaired.