A revolutionary robot dog designed to assist the blind and visually impaired, while also offering guided tours in museums, has been hailed as a “game-changer” by its developers at the University of Glasgow.
Robbie the RoboGuide is set to transform experiences in indoor environments such as museums, supermarkets, and even airports. Developed using a pre-existing base—priced at approximately £8,000 and previously utilised by the US military—Robbie is equipped with a large language model similar to ChatGPT, giving it “unique” communication capabilities. The robot can conduct online searches and relay information through integrated speakers, making it a powerful, autonomous assistant.
How Robbie Works
Robbie operates using simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) technology, allowing it to navigate complex spaces safely. It’s equipped with a camera and microphones, while users wear an earpiece for seamless communication. In public settings, Robbie can provide directions, answer questions, and even engage in conversation.
PhD student Abdul Ghani Zahid, involved in Robbie’s development, explained:
“Users can talk to the robot, it could see an artefact in a museum and give a description of what that artefact was. If it’s a new environment where someone needs assistance, like an airport, you can ask the robot to take you to a certain coffee shop, then take you to the terminal, then it goes back to the charging stage.”
Trial Success and Future Potential
Robbie has already been trialled successfully at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, where it guided visitors while providing engaging and informative descriptions of artefacts. It has been tipped as a potential interim solution for visually impaired individuals who may not qualify for a guide dog, or for those facing long waits due to high demand and costs.
Wasim Ahmad, a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, emphasised that Robbie is not intended to replace guide dogs but to complement them:
“It’s not for us to replace the guide dog – it’s a very different relationship between the guide dog and the blind person. This is providing a complementary support for a lot of people. I think Robbie is the perfect match.”
Feedback from initial trials highlighted how “safe and confident” users felt while walking with Robbie, reinforcing the belief that the robot could help provide freedom and independence to its users.
Versatile Applications and Multilingual Capabilities
Beyond guiding the visually impaired, Robbie’s developers envision its use in airports, supermarkets, and galleries within three to five years. The robot could also offer multilingual guided tours and assist people with other physical disabilities.
Dr Ahmad added:
“We are looking at the business case and we are hoping that we will find our investors. In the next few years, when trials and development are completed, Robbie will be out in around three to five years’ time.”
Inclusive Innovation on Display
Robbie was recently showcased at RNIB Scotland’s Inclusive Design for Sustainability Conference in Glasgow, where attendees had the chance to experience its capabilities firsthand. The conference also featured other cutting-edge technologies, including an electronic Braille display that reads in real-time and a walking cane guided through haptic feedback.
Dr Sonali Rai from RNIB’s media and culture team highlighted the importance of user involvement:
“It’s great that the work is being done. What’s important is to ensure that users are part of the conversation.”
With hopes high and investor interest growing, Robbie the RoboGuide is well on its way to making public spaces safer, more accessible, and enriching for the visually impaired and beyond.
