12 years after Sony’s famous AIBO robot debut, Tokyo-based NSK has announced the creation of a new robotic dog. The NSK robot is designed to serve as a guide dog for the blind. R&D started in 2005, and the current models are able to walk at speeds up to 3.8km/h.
After watching this demonstration, we’re pretty sure guide dogs don’t have much to worry about when it comes to job security. That said, should NSK equip their robot with GPS and increase walking speed, there may be a limited market for the as-of-yet unnamed creation – specifically, those suffering from blindness and severe pet allergies.
I really hope none of this takes off, imagine if the world no longer needed guide dogs. It would be a sad place. They’re such an amazing gift to people with poor sight. Just look at Chloe the dog running cross country with her owner – Amazing!
Yea, leave it to Japan to create a service dog robot and leave a dog in a shelter.