China Develops AI Dog to guide Visually Impaired People
China has developed an artificial intelligence-powered “robot guide dog” to help visually impaired people overcome the shortage of trained guide dogs. According to the South China Morning Post, the robot was developed as part of efforts to use China’s growing AI and robotics technology to support people in their daily lives.
China has around 20 million visually impaired people, but only a few hundred trained guide dogs are available. Training a guide dog requires significant time and money. Real guide dogs also face restrictions in some crowded places, public transport and institutions.
How does this robot guide dog work?
The guide dog robot functions as an alternative based on technology. The robot utilizes the technologies of cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence. The robot can detect obstacles and navigate uneven roads using its four- or six-legged structure or wheels. It can also recognise red and green traffic lights, a task that real guide dogs cannot perform. The robot understands voice commands and can plan routes based on the user’s instructions.
According to the development engineers, the main goal is to help visually impaired people travel independently and confidently in complex real-life environments, rather than only in controlled laboratory conditions.
