A groundbreaking initiative to develop an AI-powered robot guide dog called RoboGuide in order to help visually impaired individuals is underway. This project is the result of a collaborative endeavor involving the academic sector, industry partners, and charitable organizations. Recent developments in robotics and artificial intelligence have opened doors to a potential breakthrough for the visually impaired.
Students are developing “RoboGuide,” a robot guide dog
Research students from the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom have joined forces with industry leaders and two prominent charities to create RoboGuide. RoboGuide is an AI-driven robot with four legs. Its function will be to aid visually impaired individuals as they navigate museums, shopping centers, hospitals, and various other indoor public spaces.
The RoboGuide prototype merges various cutting-edge technologies into a commercially available robot chassis. Accordingly, it addresses barriers hindering the widespread adoption of robots by individuals who are blind or partially sighted.
The goal of the project is to introduce a refined iteration of this technology to the market soon. This improved technology will provide assistance to people living with visual impairments.
The RoboGuide system employs a set of sensors on the robot’s exterior to precisely map and evaluate its environment. In addition, the software enables the robot to learn the most efficient routes between destinations and interpret sensor data instantaneously. Therefore, this allows it to navigate around dynamic obstacles while guiding individuals in real-time.
Additionally, this robot guide dog integrates advanced language model technology. This enables it to comprehend inquiries and remarks from users and deliver verbal responses accordingly.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre (FVSC) Trust and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland have extended their support to RoboGuide.
In Dec. 2023, the RoboGuide underwent its inaugural trial at the Hunterian, Scotland’s oldest museum. It assisted RNIB and FVSC volunteers in navigating the museum’s first floor and provided interactive verbal guidance on six exhibits.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC) and UKRI’s Impact Acceleration Account program are providing financial support for the nine-month research endeavor.
