Ejoe Tso, a Microsoft Azure MVP in Hong Kong, has played a pivotal role in the creation of a groundbreaking cloud-based on an AI Guide Dog prototype.
By skillfully utilizing AI and Azure technologies, this project stands out as an extraordinary instance of harnessing digital tools to provide safe navigation for people with visual impairments, showcasing the vast possibilities of cloud-based assistive solutions. Additionally, through his mentorship of students participating in the project, he is spearheading the exploration and creation of inclusive technologies that embrace the forefront of innovation.
Below, you'll find technical details of the AI Guide Dog prototype and a demonstration video showing how it guides people with visual impairments:
- The prototype trains computer vision models to identify obstacles and offers real-time navigation guidance using Azure Machine Learning.
- Users are able to avoid collisions with the help of auditory feedback, which uses AI to adapt to user preferences and mimics the functions of a guide dog.
- Rapid testing and dataset training were made possible by Azure's global scale and storage, allowing the prototype's capabilities to be refined.
- Azure DevOps and similar tools allowed distributed teams to work together agilely on the solution's development and delivery.
*Demo video: VTC 機械狗導盲犬 AI Guide Dog (TMIT Research Project) Part 1 - Demo (youtube.com)
This prototype was recently showcased at the IVE Tuen Mun Info Day conference in Hong Kong. According to Ejoe, the feedback received from individuals who experienced it firsthand will be invaluable in further refining and improving the prototype, aiming towards its practical application in the future.
Ejoe explains Microsoft Cloud and academic research. “Cloud computing power from Microsoft Azure is enabling cutting-edge academic research in addition to assistive technology. With Azure, you can speed up insights and discoveries by doing complex computations on huge datasets, which are useful for data analytics, HPC, and machine learning.”
He continues, “Thanks to Azure's open and adaptable design, researchers all over the world can access the cloud resources they require, regardless of their physical location. Valuable intellectual property and sensitive data are also protected by its enterprise-grade security.”
As a community leader contributing to technology-driven support solutions, he shares his vision for the future. ”Both Azure for Research and the AI Guide Dog demonstrate Microsoft's dedication to inclusive innovation that breaks down barriers and opens up new possibilities. Using the scalability of the cloud, Microsoft hopes to build tools that help every person and every community succeed.”
Technologies like AI and Azure cannot achieve something on their own. Technologies are tools to be utilized in creating a better society, as envisioned by users. Technology is essential for creating innovative solutions that address the diverse needs of people worldwide. Therefore, everyone should learn about technology and identify the specific support required by different groups.
All of you have the potential to generate outstanding solutions by understanding the needs of those around them, learning the necessary technologies, and applying them effectively. This story shows how Ejoe created an amazing accessible solution. We hope it motivates you to start your own accessibility projects.