# Akihiko Sugiura

> Early-stage product exploration | 0→1 prototyping | Hypothesis-driven validation | Hardware × AI

Location: Menlo Park, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/akihiko

I’m a Product Designer specializing in user-centered design, with a focus on emerging technologies.
I'm a design thinking expert with outstanding creativity and an extensive skill set for transforming ideas into reality.

## Work Experience
### Product Design Engineer @ Cairns Health
Jan 2025 – Present | Sunnyvale, CA
Led mechanical design of an AI-enabled health monitoring device, driving design for
manufacturability and successful production launch.
• Designed and validated mechanical components, generated production documentation,
and coordinated overseas vendors for manufacturability and quality.

### Senior Product Research Lead @ Cairns Health
Jan 2020 – Jan 2024 | Sunnyvale, CA
• Led product development for an AI-enabled health monitoring system from early
ideation to final concept.
• Collaborated with engineering teams to explore concepts and finalize product design.
• Delivered successful beta test with positive user feedback and improved patient
monitoring efficiency.

### Product Research Lead @ Cairns Health
Jan 2017 – Jan 2020 | Palo Alto, CA
• Led the development of an AI and sensor-based fall detection system for older adults.
• Conducted prototyping and user research for physical and digital products, ensuring user-centered design.
• Represented design considerations across teams, emphasizing the importance of user experience.

### UX Designer @ Tata Consultancy Services
Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | Santa Clara, CA
• Collaborated with clients from diverse industries to design and prototype new digital experiences using cutting-edge technologies.
• Utilized AR/VR, AI, VUI, and mobile technologies to create innovative solutions for clients in the air travel, insurance, and retail industries.

### Design Engineer @ Panasonic USA
Jan 2009 – Jan 2016 | Cupertino, CA
• Designed and developed innovative product concepts integrating multimodal HMI using a user-centered design approach.
• Designed and built functional prototypes to validate concepts.
• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to drive successful product development.

### Product Designer @ Tokyo Sinco Leather
Jan 2007 – Jan 2008 | Tokyo, Japan
• Designed consumer market products such as chairs and sport bags.
• Collaborated with overseas manufacturers from concept to production.
• Implemented design solutions to enhance product functionality and aesthetics.

### Digital 3D Modeler @ Lion Office Products
Jan 2006 – Jan 2007 | Tokyo, Japan
• Modeled office furniture and customer workspace layouts with 3D software.
• Wrote Python scripts to accelerate 3D modeling processes.
• Increased design team productivity through process improvements and collaboration.


## Education
### Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design
Nihon University College of Art

### Associate's degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tokyo Metropolitan College of Technology


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/akihikosugiura
- Portfolio: https://www.akihiko-sugiura.com/

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Source: https://flows.cv/akihiko
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/akihiko/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13