Robotic dog to guide the blind and visually impaired

Robotic guide dogs could be used to help the partially sighted. — AFP Relaxnews

American researchers have developed an entirely autonomous robot capable of guiding partially and non-sighted humans around obstacles and in confined spaces. In the future, the new invention could provide a robotic alternative to traditional guide dogs for the blind.

Drawing on innovative technologies, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States have built a robot that is fully autonomous in an urban environment. Designed to take on the role of a traditional guide dog, the new invention can lead a visually impaired human holding its leash. Unlike previous robots for the blind, this latest prototype can navigate around obstacles and cope with confined spaces.