Robo-9 : Sensor Fusion Technologies for the Visually Impaired

Overview

In this project, vision and sensing technology for mobility assistance. The technology has been developed for obstacle avoidance and guidance. The Navigation Control Module (NCM) is designed, comprising RFID, GNSS, Wi-Fi and BLE technologies which can provides real-time positioning information, so as to provide guidance to the user for free walking and going to the target destination.

  • Robo-9 : Sensor Fusion Technologies for the Visually Impaired 0
  • Robo-9 : Sensor Fusion Technologies for the Visually Impaired 1
  • Robo-9 : Sensor Fusion Technologies for the Visually Impaired 2
Research completion
2021
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing
Problem addressed

The Visually Impaired encounters  various obstacles when going out on their own. Therefore, LSCM has developed this cost-effective robot vision and sensing technology for mobility assistance. The technology has been developed to simulate important functions provided by guide dogs, including obstacle avoidance and guidance.The technology aims to enhance the quality of life of the Visually Impaired.

Innovation
  • It consists of vision module for object detection, obstacle avoidance, path planning, object movement detection
  • The robot consists of two parts: cane and base. Inside the cane, haptic feedback is used to raise alert and to serve as a control panel to give commands such as go left, go right, go straight and stop. Inside the base, different sensors are installed, which help determine the turning angle and speed.
  • Navigation & locationing function provides walking guidance including free walking and going to target destination which is designed to be integrated to a cloud platform.
Key impact
  • Employ robot vision and multi-sensing technologies for mobility assistance to provide point-to-point navigation information.
  • Enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and enable them to participate fully in social activities.


Award
  • Bronze medal at Special Edition 2022: Invention Geneva Evaluation Days
Application
  • Provide walking guidance for the Visually Impaired

Patent

  • US 17/099,887 / CN 2020 1148 9531.3
  • US 16/823,558 / CN 202010733988.8 / HK 32020004548.4
Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM)

Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM) was founded in 2006, with funding from the Innovation and Technology Fund of The Government of the Hong Kong SAR, and is co-hosted by the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. It aims to strengthen the local logistics sector and related industries by providing a one-stop resource for applied research and technology transfer, and to reinforce cooperation between the industry and research institutes to bring about meaningful and significant impact on the industry and the community. 

LSCM serves the industry by initiating research projects, contract research, as well as providing business matching opportunities, technology transfer and intellectual property commercialisation. LSCM initiates technology and knowledge transfer to the marketplace to promote industrial digitalisation, facilitate technology advancement and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a leading logistics and commercial hub.

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