High school student Selin Alara Ornek from Istanbul, Turkey, has utilized NVIDIA’s Jetson platform for edge AI and robotics to develop a robot guide dog named IC4U, designed to assist the visually impaired. IC4U is part of a series of robots Ornek has created, including a school aid robot called BB4All, which is capable of real-time notification and health monitoring to help prevent bullying.
Ornek, a self-taught robotics developer and a member of AI4ALL and the New York Academy of Science, has gained recognition in the global robotics community. Her achievements include winning the 2021 Istanbul Bosphorus Robot Cup and placing third in the 2023 OpenCV AI Competition.
The inspiration for IC4U stemmed from a trip to France, where she observed a guide dog assisting its owner, as well as her personal experience with her late dog, Korsan. The project aimed to create a reliable companion for visually impaired individuals, one not constrained by age or health issues.
Ornek initially equipped IC4U with ultrasonic sensors for object detection but later enhanced the robot’s capabilities after participating in the 2021 World Summit AI. She integrated sound sensors and a ZED 2i Wide-Angle 3D AI camera, enabling IC4U to process visual information and detect objects such as stop signs, traffic lights, and even the denomination of paper money. Powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Nano developer kit, IC4U’s high-resolution sensors provide comprehensive environmental awareness.
In the future, Ornek plans to expand IC4U’s features, such as a shopping assistant, and aims to deploy the robot in smart cities. She will continue her studies in computer science at the University of British Columbia this fall, with the support of a full scholarship. Ornek’s work highlights her commitment to advancing AI and robotics for social good, particularly encouraging young girls to explore technology.
