Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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A brilliant team of students at Nanyang Polytechnic are hoping to commercialize a robot dog that could assist those with visual impairments. With tech that can identify traffic lights, see oncoming cyclists and even program preset routes, the “e-Guide Dog” could be a game changer. (todayonline.com)
submitted by BrailleWorks
BlindLuck72 2 points 2y ago
I always thought the Boston dynamics dog would be interesting as a guide
BrailleWorks [OP] 1 points 2y ago
This is a great point! Boston Dynamics' robot dogs are insanely hi-tech. It's an interesting concept for sure. Who knows? maybe 10-15 years from now, that technology will be applicable to a guide dog role.
BlindLuck72 1 points 2y ago
That’s my thinking between the Boston dynamics team and self driving car teams ta lot of the hard work is done, it’s down to refining and integrating
The cool thing is cost isn’t out of line either, a guide dog cost $80k+ to raise and train so I’m optimistic!
The cool thing is cost isn’t out of line either, a guide dog cost $80k+ to raise and train so I’m optimistic!
Tarnagona 1 points 2y ago
There’s another group of researchers working on that. Alas, I don’t remember who.
BlindLuck72 3 points 2y ago
Cool! Yeah being able to navigate curbs, stairs, getting into cars etc are all important for guide dogs
Remy_C 1 points 2y ago
I absolutely refuse to get a guide dog, for logical, ethical and societal reasons — and I am in no way saying guide dogs are unethical). So something like this would be very interesting, if it ended up working out well.
brimstone_tea 1 points 2y ago
No way I'd ever give up my dog ...
BrailleWorks [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Absolutely not! The bond between a person and their guide dog is precious and invaluable. This option would be more for people who don't have a guide dog. :)
brimstone_tea 1 points 2y ago
Sadly, technologies like these are the reason guide dogs seem more and more redundant to the public and we blind people lose the funding we need to afford one.
thatawkwardcosplayer 1 points 2y ago
This would be great!! Assuming the stair issue gets fixed, this would solve a lot of issues. Many programs require you to be 18+ (or 21+ in NY!!) to qualify, have stable housing for more than a year, certain housing size required or guardian ship signage if you’re under 21-26 (depends per state & program etc).
I personally can’t apply for any programs in NY due to age and housing restrictions. (Tfw you’ve been homeless for 3y and now that you’re ‘homed’, it’s not considered stable enough housing as it’s homeless aid program.) Even though I’m registered as an independent adult, I apparently still require a guardians signature as a co signer. Which isn’t possible for me for multiple reasons.
I personally can’t apply for any programs in NY due to age and housing restrictions. (Tfw you’ve been homeless for 3y and now that you’re ‘homed’, it’s not considered stable enough housing as it’s homeless aid program.) Even though I’m registered as an independent adult, I apparently still require a guardians signature as a co signer. Which isn’t possible for me for multiple reasons.
KillerLag 1 points 2y ago
Interesting design, but that system wouldn't be able to use stairs with wheels that size.
I wonder why they decided to use sensors on the wheels and and steering angles for navigation, rather than GPS. While GPS has it's own limitations, dead reckoning has even more limitations and no method of self-correcting.
I wonder why they decided to use sensors on the wheels and and steering angles for navigation, rather than GPS. While GPS has it's own limitations, dead reckoning has even more limitations and no method of self-correcting.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 2y ago
It uses dead reckoning? I have no words. I wouldn't rely on dead reckoning alone inside s building. It's unthinkable at the scale of city blocks, let alone your commute.
KillerLag 2 points 2y ago
The website doesn't mention GPS at all, so that is an odd accident omission. Maybe they intend to add GPS at a later date.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 2y ago
I hope it's just an omission.
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