SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 2
Attending a Special Lecture by Director ASAKAWA at Miraikan and Experiencing the Latest AI Technologies
On the morning of July 3, a total of 86 participants in the second group of the Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP)—including 51 high school students from India, 17 from Indonesia, 10 from Taiwan, and 8 supervisors—visited the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Koto-ku, Tokyo.
Upon their arrival, the students attended a special lecture by Miraikan Director ASAKAWA Chieko. Reflecting on her own experience of losing her eyesight at the age of 14 and the challenges she faced in living independently, Director ASAKAWA explained that two major barriers—access to information and mobility—became the driving force behind her lifelong pursuit of innovation and invention.
She introduced her development of the Homepage Reader in 1997, a screen-reading software for people with visual impairments that dramatically improved access to digital information. She then spoke about the story behind the development of the AI Suitcase, an intelligent navigation system that is currently the focus of her work.
Director ASAKAWA also provided a detailed explanation of the AI Suitcase's innovative hardware design. Equipped with technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and RGB-D cameras for detecting surrounding obstacles and walls, as well as satellite-navigation antennas for accurate outdoor positioning, the AI Suitcase is designed to be always slightly ahead of the user—much like a guide dog or a white cane—to help ensure safe navigation. The students showed great interest in how these advanced technologies are integrated to support independent mobility for people with visual impairments.
In addition, Director ASAKAWA introduced the four visions for 2030 that she established upon assuming her position at Miraikan: Life, Society, Earth, and Frontier. These visions encouraged participants to reflect on how technology can enhance quality of life (QOL), address social and global challenges, and shape humanity's future. The lecture inspired the students to consider the broader role of science and innovation in creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.
During the Q&A session that followed, students raised their hands to ask questions. When asked, “What advice would you give to high school students who want to develop technologies that help people?” Director ASAKAWA replied, “Groups with diverse perspectives are the ones that generate innovation and help create a more inclusive society.”
In response to a more technical question—“Why did you choose LiDAR and cameras instead of conventional ultrasonic sensors?”—she explained that LiDAR, with its 360-degree field of view, is essential for accurate self-localization, a key element of navigation, while camera-based image analysis is vital for predicting the movements of pedestrians and other objects. At one point, she casually added, “If you're interested, I can share the research papers with you later.” When asked whether the device could be made more compact in the future, Director ASAKAWA responded, “That is a challenge I would like you to think about and solve yourselves,” passing the baton to the next generation. The opportunity to engage directly with a world-renowned pioneer left a lasting impression, as the students listened attentively and eagerly absorbed her insights.
At the conclusion of the lecture, a high school student from Taiwan delivered remarks on behalf of all participants. Expressing appreciation for Director ASAKAWA's presentation, the student said, “Thank you for showing us how technology guided by empathy can truly transform people's lives.” The heartfelt message was met with warm applause from the audience, bringing the session to a memorable and inspiring close.
After the lecture, the participants gathered for a commemorative group photo before exploring Miraikan's permanent exhibitions. As they engaged with the museum's wide range of interactive and thought-provoking displays, the students experienced firsthand many of the themes highlighted by Director ASAKAWA, including the coexistence of humans and robots and the sustainability of our planet.
Through these exhibits, the students gained a deeper appreciation of how science and technology can be used to address societal challenges and expand human possibilities. Inspired by the ideas presented throughout the visit, they left with an even stronger interest in tackling global issues and exploring the role of innovation in shaping a better future for all.
