Among the many interesting projects in development at ETH Zurich, there is one that could change the lives of many people with visual impairments. It's about RoboDog, a robotic guide dog designed to assist blind people in their daily lives. An advanced technological solution that offers blind people greater autonomy and safety in their movements.
The genesis of RoboDog
Inside the D-ITET Center for Project-based Learning at ETH Zurich, research has taken a direction that combines technological advancement with a profound sense of social responsibility.
Il RoboDog Flagship Project it is not a simple technological experiment, but is part of a larger initiative aimed at promoting various innovations in artificial intelligence. This includes autonomous vehicles and drones. The researchers are keen to underline it: the objective is not to replace our beloved guide dogs, but to offer an alternative to blind people who do not have the possibility of having a real guide dog.
“I think this robot can really do better than dogs, it can even do better than humans in critical rescue operations. It can be really useful, but personally I would still buy a dog,” says the professor Michele Magno.
Accessible solutions
Davide Plozza, PhD student and key member of the RoboDog team, highlighted the importance of the project. While traditional guide dogs require expensive training, she says, RoboDog could serve as the “node” of a robotic system that can autonomously navigate unfamiliar environments, helping blind people avoid obstacles. This could not only reduce costs, but also offer a new form of care.
But how do you turn an idea into reality? The team took an existing commercial robot dog and added new sensors to it TO DEAL and an additional computational unit. This combination of hardware and software creates a solution that could be revolutionary for those who need it.
Next steps for the blind
With lofty ambitions, the Swiss institute aims to compete inICRA 2024 Quadruped Robot Challenges (QRC) in Japan. A prestigious event, which could be the perfect platform to show the world the capabilities of RoboDog.
The project is still in its early stages, but its potential is immense. Considering the number of people (visually impaired and blind) who cannot afford a traditional guide dog, RoboDog could represent a turning point: an arrival point that combines technological advancement with a profound sense of humanity.
