Slashdot Mirror
RFID-Equipped Robots Used as Guide Dogs
Roland Piquepaille writes "A professor in computer science at the Utah State University (USU) is building robots to help people with disabilities, according to the Utah Statesman in this article. The story, which is more focused on the professor than robotics, carries several anecdotes, such as an embarrassing voice recognition system. After a blind man cleared his throat, the robot misinterpreted the sound as a sign that the man wanted to go to the bathroom. Later, every time a man cleared his throat before speaking, the robot changed directions and insisted to guide him to the restrooms. Even if the article is entertaining, this project at USU is far more ambitious. In fact, they want to design RFID-enabled robots mounted on mobile carts which will welcome blind persons at the entrance of a supermarket and guide them through the store. I bet you'll never find those carts at a Wal-Mart store, but read more for other details, references and pictures about these RFID-equipped robots designed to help blind people."
Part of the benefit of having a guide dog is that it can be a true companion to a blind person, and many times more trustworhty than a robot. A dog isn't going to crash and require a reboot, and kibble is easier to figure out than rechargeable batteries.
That said, computers and robotics are a reflection of their creators. I guess I trust dogs a whole lot more. A dog can also provide protection against burglars. The benefits of dogs over robots goes on and on.
Exactly. Walmart already has carts with motors for disabled shoppers. They also have a "greeter" by the door who can easily recognize blind people entering the store and direct them to this special cart.
This is the sort of thing companies like Walmart love. It costs very little, and looks very good even to those who will never need it.
I wish michael would stop ACCEPTING submissions from Roland. I'm getting fedup with spammers like him. Why link to him when there are the originals which ARE a bigger source of info. I wouldn't like this middleman stuff even if his primdi thing would be without advertisements in an easy to read format, but i refuse to make him live from this kind of spam.
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
I know this sounds cheesy, but the value of the companionship offered by a dog is something you haven't taken into account (and, indeed, can't have a dollar value assigned to it). I don't pretend to know anything about it, but I would imagine that having a disability such as visiom impairment would be socially isolating to a certain degree (most differences tend to have this effect in society, even those that don't limit mobility). The therapeutic value of having a pet is not to be ignored (a dog doesn't charge $100/hr :).
Another advantage is that a dog can adapt to new situations better than a typical robot. Also - though it has already been mentioned - a dog can help ensure safety (it is probably less likely to be stolen than an expensive electronic gadget)