Tomoko Kitagawa

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Tomoko Kitagawa is a pioneering researcher in human-machine interaction and haptic feedback systems, with a particular focus on driver assistance technologies. Her most influential work, "Effect of Haptic Assistance on Learning Vehicle Reverse Parking Skills" (2014, 26 citations), challenges conventional approaches to assisted driving by shifting the evaluation framework from mere safety and stability metrics to the critical dimension of skill acquisition and learning transfer. Kitagawa’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that haptic assistance—where drivers receive physical guidance through touch—can be more effective and less cognitively intrusive than traditional visual or auditory cues, fundamentally altering how we design driver training systems. Her research bridges the gap between haptic technology and practical automotive applications, offering evidence that such systems not only improve immediate task performance but also enhance long-term learning outcomes. While her citation count reflects a focused, emerging field, Kitagawa’s work is notable for its interdisciplinary impact, influencing both human factors engineering and automotive interface design. Her findings have implications for autonomous vehicle handover protocols and skill retention in complex maneuvering tasks, marking her as a key voice in the evolution of intuitive, human-centered driving aids.