Collaborative Robots Help See a Better Future For The Blind

{Music} {Short Video Caption} collaborative robots help researchers see a better future for the blind August 28, 2015 in baxter in the lab by Sue Sokoloski It’s been said that technology can create class divides, but M. Bernardine Dias, founder of the TechBridgeWorld research group at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, sees technology playing a more uniting role. Dias’ vision is evident in TechBridgeWorld’s latest research project, a program that explores how collaborative robots can help the blind navigate urban environments.

In collaboration with the blind community in Pittsburgh, the researchers are exploring ways that the Baxter Research Robot can enable those with impaired vision to accomplish tasks that are easily taken for granted, such as distinguishing between two colors of bus tickets or understanding directions through physical gestures. Eventually, the researchers would like to create a mobile robot that helps blind people find Baxters located throughout the city. The goals of the program? To provide visually impaired people with the ability to be more independent, and to expand the opportunities for human-robot interaction to the blind community. Are you using a Baxter robot in your facility? We want to hear your story. Tell us about it in the Rethink Robotics Video Challenge for a chance to put your research in the spotlight and win a Baxter robot. {Continuation of Video Caption} {Music} This blog can be found at RothinkRobotics.com {Music}