From New Year’s Eve Party to Visually Impaired People Navigation App
This is my story on how I chose my PhD topic and worked on a visually impaired navigation app in a Japanese robotics company after graduation.
After completing my master’s degree in robotics and working on a humanoid and an autonomous car trajectory planning projects at The Technical University of Munich, I returned home, eager to take a break from the world of academia. My uncle, the headmaster of a school for visually impaired children, invited me to join the students and staff for the New Year’s Eve celebration party at the school.
The evening was filled with laughter, music, and a sense of camaraderie as the students and staff prepared to ring in the new year together. As part of the festivities, each student was called to the stage one by one to receive a small present. I watched as the children tried to follow the announcer’s voice and instructions to find their way to the stage, often bumping into the chairs, relying on the help of others.
It struck me as unusual that despite the numerous advances in technology, there wasn’t a widely used navigation aid for blind people. Here I was, having just spent my time working on autonomous car trajectory planning, and yet these children were still struggling with such a basic task. It was a stark reminder of the gap between the technological advances in robotics and the actual needs of visually impaired individuals.
This experience stayed with me as I returned home that night. It made me question why more resources and research weren’t being devoted to this area, considering how far the field of robotics had come in terms of autonomous navigation. My experience at the New Year’s Eve celebration had opened my eyes to a problem I hadn’t previously considered. This conviction led me to pursue a Ph.D. in self-localization at the University of Tokyo. During my time at the university, I delved into methods for localization and mapping, honing my expertise in developing precise and robust navigation systems.
Upon completing my doctoral studies, I was eager to apply my knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. I joined a Japanese robotics company where I embarked on the ambitious task of creating a navigation app specifically tailored to the needs of the visually impaired community. Drawing on my research and academic background, I have worked with a multidisciplinary team in designing and implementing features for app’s usability and effectiveness. We aimed to help users with the freedom to navigate their surroundings confidently and independently.
Throughout the development process, I remained driven by my commitment to making a meaningful impact. I felt a profound sense of fulfillment knowing that my efforts were contributing to a more inclusive and accessible world. During this journey, I’ve had some interesting experiences. I’ve met a visually impaired marathon runner, undergone gait training for walking with a white cane, and even played blind tennis. Certainly, this explanation oversimplifies the entire process. I have also encountered numerous challenges. Despite these hurdles, I’ve persevered, and here I am. Those challenges will have their own narrative in another post.
