The visually impaired in China are trialling robot guide dogs.
The robo-pups can respond to their human’s voice and communicate with them through a voice interaction system to allow them to move around safely.
A trial run in Chengdu, in China’s Sichuan Province, showed a woman holding the ‘lead’ as the four-legged robot led her down the street.
Mounted on the four ‘legs’ is a camera, with an antennae and sensors feeding information back to give the robot guide a view of its surroundings.
The robots can handle stairs, slopes and uneven surfaces, mimicking the real thing.
China has been developing the technology for years – in 2024 a six-legged ‘robo-dog’ was created which was roughly the size of an English Bulldog.
Its cameras and sensors meant it could navigate blind and visually impaired people, even recognising traffic signals.
That year it was reported the country had a severe shortage of guide dogs, with just 400 available for a blind population of almost 20 million.
A robot guide dog assists a visually impaired women in Chengdu, China
China has suffered from a shortage of guide dogs for its blind population, a problem it is hoped the technology will address
A similar model was developed in China in 2024 and tested using blind and visually impaired people
How do you feel about robots playing a bigger role in supporting independence for the visually impaired?
There are also strict rules in China on where people are able to walk pets, meaning workplaces and public areas often do not allow dogs.
Chinese couple Li Fei and Zhu Sibin were part of the testing process for the six-legged dog.
Li told BBC News: ‘If this robot guide dog comes onto the market and I could use it, at least it could solve some of my problems in travelling alone.
‘For example, if I want to go to work, the hospital or the supermarket – I cannot go out alone and must be accompanied by my family or volunteers.’
There has also been a robot guide dog made closer to home – Robbie the RoboGuide was developed by the University of Glasgow two years ago.
Robbie used sensor and AI technologies to be able to describe environments to his user.
At the time, the RoboGuide’s principal investigator Dr Olaoluwa Popoola said the model was not intended to replace guide dogs but supplement them and relieve shortages.
Dr Popoola added: ‘Assistive technologies like the RoboGuide have the potential to provide blind and partially sighted people with more independence in their daily lives in the years to come.
‘One significant drawback of many current four-legged, two-legged and wheeled robots is that the technology which allows them to find their way around can limit their usefulness as assistants for the visually impaired.
‘Robots which use GPS to navigate, for example, can perform well outdoors, but often struggle in indoor settings, where signal coverage can weaken.
‘Others, which use cameras to “see”, are limited by line of sight, which makes it harder for them to safely guide people around objects or around bends.’
