IBM Is Developing An AI Suitcase Robot To Guide The Visually Impaired

IBM is working with four other partners to develop an AI-powered suitcase-shaped robot to assist the visually impaired. The robot will alert them about the obstacles ahead, becoming a guide.

The idea came after Chieko Asakawa, a visually impaired employee of IBM Japan, was going on a business trip and had to push her suitcase around. She thought about how equipping a suitcase with the relevant cameras and sensors can guide people with a visual imparity to travel between places more easily and without the fear of stumbling into obstacles.

After discussing with IBM Japan, the company started a joint project to manufacture a suitcase with cameras, sensors and a battery. The suitcase can detect obstacles ahead, thus alerting the owner of the suitcase via haptic feedback about these barriers. IBM Japan will be in charge of developing the AI that powers the suitcase-shaped robot.

Four other partners who will join IBM Japan are Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Shimizu Corp., Ormon Corp., and Alps Alpine Co. Ltd. These companies will develop the automotive tech, position navigation tech, image sensing, and recognition tech, and the haptic tech respectively.

These five multinational companies want to commercialize their joint product, the suitcase robot, by 2022. And before that, these companies will also analyze the potential challenges that they may face in developing the required tech.

The robot will be used first in commercial complexes and airports and outdoor areas later.

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