Technology may soon replace guide animals as
new advances in robotics may make Guide dogs and guide horses
obsolete.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/510688/
A new, one-of-a-kind robot uses the latest technology to
help the visually impaired find their way when traditional guide
dogs can’t. The Robotic Guide is a combination of high-tech
computer parts and a mobile base that assists the visually
impaired in busy areas such as grocery stores, malls and
airports.
The robot uses radio frequency technology to give
directions, product location and information to the visually
impaired once they enter a store or airport.
One visually impaired subject invovled in the test had this to
day:
“This robot would make a difference in my life,” said
Sachin Pavithran, a visually impaired test subject for the
project. “I would go to a grocery store by myself if something
like this were available to me. It would help in so many places
where I can’t go alone now. When I am in an airport and have a
flight layover, I am often stuck in one place because I can’t
get around by myself. This robot would give me back some
independence.”
Experiments to devolop and test the robotic guide are being
conducted at Utah State University by computer science professor,
Vladimir Kulyukin and four Utah State graduate students.
Vladimir Kulyukin had this to say about the
invention:
when a visually impaired person is in a new environment,
such as an airport, a guide dog can’t guide that person to the
correct location because it’s never been there either. Robotic
Guide will lead the way without the need for human assistance
thus giving the visually impaired person more freedom.
“Dogs may be man’s best friend, but in the case of a blind
person that relationship is taken to the next level – they are
essential,” said Kulyukin. “The only problem with a guide dog is
that they only know to go where they have been taught.”
The Utah State computer science department has supported
Kulyukin on this project, which also includes collaborations
with Utah State’s Center for Persons with Disabilities and the
department of psychology. In 2004, Kulyukin received a National
Science Foundation Career award totaling nearly $500,000.
Kulyukin also received two Community University Research
Initiative grants that partially support his research.
It will be interesting and hopeful to see this new device on the
market, and how much it greatly improves the mobility of the
visually impaired.
