When an optometrist asked Trevor Landurand ’23 to read the letters on an eye chart during the summer following his sophomore year, he humorously quipped, "I must be waiting for the eye chart to reveal itself." The optometrist paused before informing him, "It's already up." However, Landurand could only see a blank page, highlighting his visual impairment. This experience motivated him to innovate and develop a solution, leading to the creation of a Robo-Guide Dog to assist individuals like him with visual impairments.
Students Create Robo-Guide Dog for Visually Impaired.
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| Robotics Club members, from left, Jacob Breen, Trevor Landurand and Sriram Krishnamoorthy showcase their robotic guide dog prototype. |
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A mechanical engineering major, Trevor Landurand ’23, faced a gradual loss of eyesight due to keratoconus, a condition causing thinning and bulging of the cornea. This left him legally blind, though he regained much of his vision through corrective lenses and surgeries. Inspired by his journey, he joined his university's Robotics Club, contributing to the development of a Robo-Guide Dog for visually impaired individuals like himself.
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| A closer look at the robotic guide dog prototype. |
The Robotics Club, part of the SICK $10K Challenge, aims to utilize sensors to create innovative solutions. With guidance from the Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB), they've designed a prototype featuring a SICK multiScan100 sensor for object detection. The robot, equipped with depth-sensing cameras and GPS technology, assists users in navigation, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional guide dogs.
Collaboration with LAB ensures user-friendly design and practicality, with plans to incorporate room-specific guidance features. The team's efforts, including participation in the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute’s $50K Idea Challenge, reflect a commitment to accessibility and technological advancement, promising a bright future for their innovative Robo-Guide Dog.
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Q&A
1. What inspired Trevor Landurand to join the Robotics Club at his university?
- Answer: Trevor Landurand was inspired to join the Robotics Club due to his personal experience of gradually losing eyesight and his desire to contribute to the development of a Robo-Guide Dog for visually impaired individuals.
2. How did the Robotics Club participate in the SICK $10K Challenge?
- Answer: The Robotics Club participated in the SICK $10K Challenge by developing a prototype of a robotic guide dog using a SICK multiScan100 sensor for object detection, aiming to solve problems faced by visually impaired individuals.
3. What role did the Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) play in the project?
- Answer: The Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) collaborated with the Robotics Club, providing guidance to ensure the design of the robotic guide dog was user-friendly, stable, and capable of navigating unfamiliar environments.
4. What are some key features of the robotic guide dog prototype developed by the Robotics Club?
- Answer: The robotic guide dog prototype features a SICK multiScan100 sensor for object detection, depth-sensing cameras for enhanced perception, GPS technology for navigation, and a design that allows it to assist users in climbing stairs and navigating complex terrains.
5. How does the Robotics Club plan to make their robotic guide dog more affordable compared to traditional guide dogs?
- Answer: The Robotics Club aims to make their robotic guide dog more affordable by designing it to cost one-fifth of the annual price of a traditional guide dog, while still providing similar assistance and functionalities to visually impaired individuals.


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