A heartwarming initiative is unfolding at Rice University, where a group of undergraduate engineering students—Adam Vuong, Cristiana De Sousa, Issy Tai, and Santiago Brent—are collaborating not just as classmates, but as dedicated friends of a remarkable dog named Kunde.
Kunde, a lovable Houston pup, has faced the challenge of losing his eyesight due to advanced glaucoma. In a truly inspiring move, this group of four decided to turn Kunde's story into a valuable learning experience. They set out to design an innovative wearable vest that empowers blind dogs like Kunde to navigate their environments with confidence and grace.
Drawing inspiration from a previous project that employed LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, the students developed a vest that utilizes haptic feedback, allowing Kunde to receive real-time spatial information without hindering his natural movements or playful spirit.
Traditional aids for blind dogs often consist of cumbersome "halo" frames or e-collars, which can be uncomfortable and confusing for our furry friends. When Kunde's owners reached out to the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen at Rice for assistance, the students eagerly accepted the challenge.
Adam Vuong articulated their mission beautifully: “Existing devices tend to be bulky or uncomfortable, and they rely on the dog bumping into things as tactile feedback, which is not ideal. We wanted to create something that would give Kunde the independence to move around and interact with his environment without constant collisions and stress.”
The team’s creation is a lightweight vest equipped with “linear resonant actuator motors,” commonly found in wearables and smartphones that vibrate. These motors provide alerts to Kunde when obstacles are nearby. Additionally, a pair of stereoscopic cameras, comfortably positioned on Kunde’s head, gather real-time depth information. This data is processed through a custom circuit board and a specialized vision-processing module, which translates into vibrations on the vest, guiding Kunde away from potential hazards.
“Kind of like giving Kunde a second set of eyes, the cameras create a depth map,” explained Issy Tai. “The closer an obstacle is, the stronger the vibration on that side of the vest.” This thoughtful design allows Kunde to learn and adapt his movements independently.
The beauty of this project lies not only in its ingenuity but also in its affordability. Santiago Brent highlighted a significant breakthrough, stating, “The ability to use very cheap cameras in order to create a very complex depth map is pretty amazing, compared to using thousands of dollars of LiDAR equipment or AI cameras. I would say the fact that we can create all of this for, I'd say, under $150, and create a very clear, crisp stereoscopic image for this computer vision is pretty insane.”
However, the journey to this innovative solution has not been without its challenges. The team skillfully crafted flexible yet protective casings for the electronics and carefully balanced weight distribution to ensure Kunde could still move freely. They also waterproofed crucial components and adapted the design to withstand the Texas heat.
“It was a real exercise in creative problem-solving,” remarked Cristiana De Sousa, reflecting on the process of embedding electronics into a soft, breathable, and rugged vest for a playful dog.
Kunde's Friends believe that this low-cost technology could eventually extend beyond canine applications, potentially benefiting human rehabilitation and therapeutic needs. “This project shows that with the right combination of low-power sensors and haptic feedback, it is possible to provide real-time spatial guidance in a lightweight, unobtrusive way,” expressed Brent.
Kunde is currently participating in testing the vest, and footage captures the joyful sight of him exploring with newfound confidence, albeit with a hint of clumsiness due to his new gear. The final prototype aims to offer a range of up to eight meters and a battery life of around two hours, complete with an adjustable strap to accommodate Kunde’s playful mood.
As the students continue their work, they aspire to create a device that benefits not just Kunde but all dogs facing similar challenges. Heather Bisesti, the team’s mentor, shared her enthusiasm: “The team has made exciting progress, and while there’s still more development ahead to fully meet the client’s needs, they’ve already demonstrated the power of having a real-world challenge to drive meaningful design. It’s motivating for students to see how their work can make a direct difference in someone’s — or some dog’s — life.”
This project embodies the spirit of innovation and compassion, showcasing how creativity and teamwork can lead to positive change in the lives of our beloved pets.
