Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Midori Kawaguchi is a pioneering researcher in human augmentation and accessible robotics, exploring how technology can transcend bodily limitations. Her work centers on **parallel embodiment**—enabling a single user to control multiple robotic avatars simultaneously—with a focus on empowering individuals with disabilities. In her landmark 2023 study, “I am both here and there” (30 citations), Kawaguchi demonstrated how disabled workers could operate multiple avatars in a real café, extending their physical reach and social presence beyond traditional constraints. This built on her earlier “Parallel Ping-Pong” system (2022, 26 citations), where a user controlled two robot arms via VR to play ping-pong, proving parallel interaction feasible outside the lab. Her “Brain Body Jockey” project (2024) further pushes boundaries, collaborating with a DJ with ALS to augment live performance. With over 70 total citations, Kawaguchi’s work bridges human-computer interaction and disability studies, offering practical tools for multitasking and inclusion. Her achievements include deploying these systems in real-world settings like cafés, showing that parallel embodiment can transform work and art for disabled individuals.