The Service Dog of the Future

Service Dogs are used for assisting people who are physically impaired, whether that be seeing or hearing impaired, or physically disabled. The dogs are highly specialized and trained breeds usually labs, retrievers or German shepherds. They can make many tasks possible for their owners that without them would be nearly impossible. This enhances the quality of life for the disabled individual. However, these specialized dogs can cost the individual nearly $16,000 and they can take over 2 years to train completely depending on the tasks they are required to do. What if the duties of these dogs could be accomplished by something robotic, having the same efficiency and costing much less? Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a biologically inspired robot that mimics a service dog. The disabled individuals can command the robot verbally to do a task and the robot responds when a laser pointer directs the robot to the desired location. With a service dog, if a person needs an item out of his or her reach, he or she would gesture to the dog to retrieve the item with their hands. The robot does the same thing, but instead of hand motions, it is a laser that directs the robot. This technology can allow individuals to open doors, retrieve medications, and other formally impossible tasks. These robots will be able to help disabled people sooner because there is a multi-year waiting list for service dogs. The researchers at Georgia Tech. worked with a team of service dog trainers to study the commands and interactions between the individual and their dog. For example, the key to the success of one dog’s ability to open a door was because of a towel attached to the door handle, so the robot was programmed to use a towel in the same manner. The robot was able to compete ten tasks which included opening doors and drawers as well as a microwave oven, delivering objects, and placing items on a table. It seems that the only thing that the robot isn’t able to do that the service dog can is be furry companion with a personality. The head researcher said that the robot does have its benefits though. “The robot won’t require the same care and maintenance. It also won’t be distracted by a steak.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026101212.htm