A blind researcher is developing a suitcase that uses artificial intelligence to help visually impaired people navigate to destinations safely.
"With the power of science and technology, we can reduce the gap between people with disabilities and those without," said researcher Chieko Asakawa, who is chief executive director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.
Asakawa, 64, lost her eyesight at 14 following an accident which occurred when she was an elementary school student. After graduating from university, she joined IBM Japan Ltd.'s research and development division in Tokyo in 1985. According to Asakawa, she started using computers to help overcome challenges in finding information herself as a visually impaired person.
