Brando the Robotic Dog
Brando the Robotic Dog is an innovative project centered around the development of a robotic quadruped designed to emulate key canine features and emotional expressions, such as tail movements. The goal of this project is to create a robot suitable for human-centered applications, including use as a robotic guide dog.
Brando 1
The first version of Brando was developed on a tight budget, making the most of recycled materials. Key features include a moving tail and ears, and the robot is controlled by voice commands to emulate the functionality of guide dogs.
Additionally, an extensive survey was conducted to understand the impact of design features, such as the tail and exterior appearance, including experiments with a furry cover.
Brando 2
The second version of Brando was developed in a shorter span of time in collaboration with Abertay University. This scaled-down version utilized 3D printing technologies to enhance the design, while retaining the moving tail, as previous surveys indicated it had the most positive effect on users' perception. Additionally, this version is controlled with a button panel for improved usability.
Brando 3
The third version of Brando was built on top of an existing robotic platform called Go1 to meet the project's requirements. Attachments for the robot, including a moving tail and head, were designed and developed. Later, this model was adapted to include a guide dog harness, and various tests were conducted with visually impaired individuals to evaluate its functionality.
