Robots: Scientists develop four-legged guide dog bot that can lead blind people around obstacles

A four-legged, robotic guide dog system that can safely lead blind people around obstacles and through narrow passages has been developed by US researchers. Just like a real assistance canine, the bot guides its user by means of a leash -- which it can pull taut but also allow to go slack in order to better lead around tight turns. The setup -- built on a robot design called a mini cheetah -- features a laser-ranging system to map out its surroundings and a camera to track the human it is guiding. Given an end point to reach, the machine maps out a simple route, adapting its course as it progresses to accommodate obstacles and the handler's movements. The robot has the potential to cut down on the time and expense of training guide dogs -- although, they would lack the mental and social benefits of a real animal. According to lead researcher and roboticist Zhongyu Li of the University of California, Berkeley, the training of mechanical guide dogs would be scalable.