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Bad idea: Robot seeing-eye dogs
Japanese bearing-maker NSK has developed a robot guide dog for visually impaired people that can do some of the things a real dog can do. But it's a far cry from man's best friend.
Recently shown off at the iRex 2011 robot trade show in Tokyo, the imposing, black NR003 has a somewhat unusual design--four legs with wheels instead of paws.
It's designed to tackle stairs, going up and down by walking, and rolling with its wheels on flat surfaces.
Users hold a pressure-sensitive, variable-length handle on the robot while being guided around. The machine has obstacle and distance sensors in its head and legs to detect stairs. … Read more
