Sichuan’s First Intelligent Robotic Guide Dog “Qiming-1” Officially Unveiled

On December 2, Sichuan’s first intelligent robotic guide dog, “Qiming-1,” jointly developed by Mianyang 58 Robot Technology Co., Ltd. and Chengdu ChuQian Technology Co., Ltd., was officially unveiled at the “Technology with Love · Creating the Future Together” event, hosted by ten provincial departments including the Sichuan Disabled Persons’ Federation, the Development and Reform Commission, and the Department of Science and Technology.

Traditional guide dogs—limited in number, costly to train, and with short working lifespans—can no longer meet the needs of people with visual impairments. Compared with biological guide dogs, intelligent robotic guide dogs offer longer service life and significantly lower long-term maintenance costs, providing a new solution to this social challenge. Integrating advanced AI technologies, “Qiming-1” delivers precise navigation and human-centered interaction to support independent mobility for visually impaired users.

At the event, “Qiming-1” safely guided visually impaired representative Wu Jun onto and off the stage and demonstrated functions such as weather broadcasting, clothing suggestions, ramp assistance, and command execution. It also completed complex scenarios including recognizing traffic lights, following tactile paving, and passing through a simulated metro gate, demonstrating strong practicality and reliability in real environments.

Its performance relies on several key technological breakthroughs. The head-mounted lidar and HD camera complement each other: lidar rapidly builds a 3D environmental map and measures distances, while the camera uses AI algorithms to identify objects. Together, they allow the robot to distinguish pedestrians, vehicles, and obstacles and make appropriate decisions. The device also features intelligent human–machine interaction and autonomous navigation, and it can automatically send alerts in emergency situations.

The innovation was made possible by Mianyang Science & Technology City New District’s growing AI ecosystem. In September, the “Sichuan Intelligent Guide Robot Joint R&D Laboratory,” jointly established by the Sichuan Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation, 58 Robot Technology, and Chengdu ChuQian Technology, was inaugurated during the district’s “Invest in Mianyang · AI Forward” event. This platform strengthens the integration of industry, academia, and research, accelerating technological iteration and commercialization.

According to Dai Jian, General Manager of Mianyang 58 Robot Technology Co., Ltd., the team will continue improving performance and reducing costs, promoting the application of the robotic guide dog in public settings such as buses and metro systems, transportation hubs, and commercial centers, helping visually impaired individuals travel safely and independently.

Source: stdaily