Chinese researchers in Shanghai are creating a robot dogthat will act as a "guide dog" to help people with visual impairments.
The robot is already being tested in Shanghai. The robotic dog is equipped with cameras and sensors to navigate its environment effectively. In fact, a major advantage, compared to real guide dogs, is that the robot can recognize signals at traffic lights and guide the person accordingly. It achieves this thanks to the artificial intelligence (AI) with which the researchers have equipped it. The AI also allows it to recognize voices and plan routes to get from place to place.
In addition, the robot dog can communicate with its owner. It is able to listen and talk to its handler.
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It's the size of an English bulldog, but a little wider than a real dog. It has six legs instead of four, as researchers have noticed that the extra legs offer more stability, making its movements smoother.
Professor Gao Feng, head of the research team developing the robot guide dog, said of the robot's legs: "When three legs are raised, there are still three... It's the most stable shape."
Two visually impaired people are already testing the robot guide dog using Chinese language. The tests are being conducted to help the team improve the machine.
One person is blind, while the other has limited vision. Both usually use a cane to walk. Testing the robot, they said that if it is released on the market, it will be very useful, since it will help them move around on their own.
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Similar robots, guide dogs, are also under development in Australia and Britain. But China has a severe shortage of traditional guide dogs. Professor Gao said there are just over 400 guide dogs in China for nearly 20 million visually impaired people.
The supply of real dogs is limited by breeding and training needs. Gao said production of guide dog robots could be scaled up to an industrial scale, especially in a manufacturing hub like China.
The researcher believes there could be a big market for robot dogs. “…There could be tens of millions of people in the world who need guide dogs,” he added.
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A robotic guide dog can be very useful for people with visual impairments, due to the increased autonomy and independence it offers. Robotic guides can help users navigate safely and confidently in various environments, reducing the need for human assistance.
These robots can facilitate access to public spaces, such as parks, shopping malls, and public transportation. This, in turn, can enhance the social integration of these individuals.
Of course, there is still a lot of testing to be done. However, the technology behind the robot dog is constantly evolving, offering new features and improvements. This means that blind users can benefit from the latest innovations and developments and gain access to the most advanced solutions.
Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
