High School Innovator Develops Robot Guide Dogs Using NVIDIA Jetson

High school student Selin Alara Ornek is pushing the boundaries of robotics and AI by developing robot guide dogs for the visually impaired. Utilizing the NVIDIA Jetson platform, Ornek's project, named IC4U, is designed to provide a reliable companion for those in need, according to NVIDIA Blog.

About the Maker

Ornek, a high school senior from Istanbul, Turkey, has a profound interest in AI, social good, and robotics. A self-taught developer, she has been recognized globally for her work, including accolades at the European Youth Awards and Women in Tech Global Awards. Her other notable projects include BB4All, a school aid robot aimed at preventing bullying through real-time notifications and health monitoring.

Her Inspiration

The inspiration for IC4U came during a trip to France, where Ornek observed a guide dog assisting its owner. This experience, along with the memory of her late dog Korsan, motivated her to create a robotic solution that could serve as a reliable guide for visually impaired individuals.

“I started to think about if a visually impaired person lost their dog, not only would they lose their best friend, but their eyes,” Ornek said.

Her Jetson Project

Initially, IC4U used ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles. However, after attending the 2021 World Summit AI, Ornek decided to enhance the robot's capabilities. She integrated sound sensors and a ZED 2i Wide-Angle 3D AI camera, allowing IC4U to process a wider range of visual data and better mimic the behavior of a real guide dog.

“To power the ZED 2i camera and for high-quality image processing, I used an NVIDIA Jetson Nano developer kit,” Ornek stated. The enhanced data processing enables IC4U to detect city objects like stop signs, traffic lights, and even the denomination of paper money.

Ornek has also added a shopping feature to IC4U through web scraping, with plans to expand this capability by partnering with online retail stores.

Back to School

Looking ahead, Ornek aims to deploy IC4U in smart cities and further explore AI applications using next-generation platforms like Jetson Orin. This fall, she will begin her studies in computer science at the University of British Columbia on a full scholarship, awarded the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award.

Students and educators interested in exploring AI and robotics can sign up to purchase NVIDIA Jetson developer kits at a discounted rate. U.S.-based students can visit Sparkfun, while international students can check their eligibility for discounts through the NVIDIA store.