Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Systems

When you type the terms "navigation and vision" into the search engines of the internet, you do not find discussions of the human brain and how it neurologically allows for navigation (ie. what I search for often). You find instead reference after reference about robotics, machine vision, computer vision, and pattern recognition. This rich area of research and effort will eventually reap large rewards for individuals without sight. linkNasa's Internet Robot Resources page is a good place to get overwhelmed with what is going on all over the planet.

Toy manufacturers (Mattel, Hasbro, etc.) are leading the way toward the development of inexpensive robots. Entertainment companies like Sony and NEC are also leading in this area with more sophisticated creations. Overall, Japanese industries are the leaders in Robotics. These toys and entertainment robots have great potential to be modified as toys and teaching tools for the blind.

Sony's artificial intelligence robot, called AIBO has potential as a training toy for blind children. It "romps around like a frisky puppy, and expresses joy and fear through body language and eye color. It can also recognize colors. The next generation AIBO may be able to recognize faces, follow voice commands and plug itself in when it's batteries run low.