Qiming Q2 guide robot: a technological breakthrough in China

Technologies are actively integrated into the social sphere, offering a replacement for traditional methods of supporting people with disabilities. In the Chinese city of Mianyang, continuous testing of the Qiming Q2 guide robot, which should become a digital alternative to guide dogs, began on June 30.

Positioning

Qiming Q2 is a modern four-legged robotic device designed to assist people with visual impairments. Unlike living assistants, which take years to prepare, a robot is a ready-made technical tool. Since the end of June, the platform for testing robots has been open to everyone, where instructors teach users how to interact with the device.

Characteristics of the navigation system

The efficiency of the robot is ensured by an impressive set of sensors: a leader, a depth camera, a standard RGB camera, ultrasonic sensors and force sensors. This configuration forms a 360-degree view, allowing the system to process data on static and dynamic obstacles in milliseconds.

Safety and mobility

The robot is adapted to the complex conditions of urban infrastructure. It is able to recognize road cones, open hatches, as well as predict the trajectory of pedestrians and vehicles. The system warns the user with voice messages when approaching traffic lights, stairs or areas with a slope. The hardware part allows Qiming Q2 to confidently navigate asphalt, cobblestones, lawns and dirt paths, as well as climb stairs independently.

Control with AI

The management is based on a local AI model that perceives the user’s voice commands. To build a route, it is enough to specify the end point – the robot lays a path taking into account the environment.

Device autonomy

The only current limitation is battery life, which is just over 1.5 hours. This resource is sufficient for short trips to the pharmacy or store. When the battery is discharged, the robot returns to the charging station on its own without the need for human intervention.