Guide Dogs and Tech innovations: Celebrating International Assistance Dog Week

Robin Christopherson | 24 Jul 2024

International Assistance Dog Week (IADW) begins on the first Sunday of August every year. The week aims to raise awareness of the wide range of roles that assistance dogs have and how disabled people rely on them for independence. 

These remarkable dogs provide essential support, fostering independence and enhancing the quality of life for their handlers. While the bond and assistance provided by these canine companions are irreplaceable, recent technological advancements are further augmenting their support capabilities. In this blog, we will explore the cutting-edge technologies enhancing the abilities of assistance dogs, showcasing the incredible synergy between traditional support and modern innovation.

The lifeline of assistance dogs 

Assistance dogs have long been invaluable partners to disabled people, providing not just practical aid but also emotional support and companionship. These highly trained canines can transform lives, offering independence and confidence to their owners.  

There are various types of assistance dogs, each specialising in unique tasks tailored to their owner's needs. 

Types of assistance dogs Robin's dog Hugo wearing a graduation cap

  • Guide dogs: Primarily used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, guide dogs help navigate obstacles, alert their owners to potential dangers, and ensure safe travel. Pictured is my assistance dog, Hugo, wearing a graduation cap at my honorary doctorate ceremony from the University of Suffolk!
  • Hearing dogs: These dogs assist those who are deaf or hard of hearing by alerting them to important sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, or emergency alarms. 
  • Mobility assistance dogs: These dogs help people with physical impairments by retrieving objects, opening doors, and even assisting with balance while walking. 
  • Medical alert dogs: Trained to detect specific medical conditions, these dogs can alert their owners to oncoming seizures, changes in blood sugar levels, or other critical health events. 
  • Emotional support dogs: These dogs provide support to individuals with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression, helping to interrupt harmful behaviours and providing a calming presence. 
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The role of technology in supporting assistance needs 

While assistance dogs are irreplaceable companions, technological advancements are making significant strides in providing support, especially in areas where canine abilities might be limited. 

Let’s look at just a couple of examples. Being blind myself, I’ll brazenly focus on how tech is helping those with a vision impairment to meet their navigation needs. 

LiDAR in iPhone Pro models 

The incorporation of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) in recent iPhone Pro models is a game-changer for blind and partially sighted people. This technology can analyse the environment and provide real-time information about obstacles, people, doors (and even their type of handle) through haptic feedback or auditory cues. By creating a 3D map of the surroundings, LiDAR helps users navigate spaces more confidently and find objects more easily, supplementing the guidance offered by their dogs. 

Glide: A new horizon in navigation The Glidance Glide device - a self-guided mobility aid

Another exciting development is the Glide device by Glidance (pictured and sourced by Glidance.io website), which is expected to be released soon. This wearable technology aims to enhance the mobility of visually impaired individuals by offering precise navigation assistance. Glide uses a combination of sensors and artificial intelligence to detect obstacles and provide directional guidance, ensuring safer and more efficient travel. 

Read our factsheet on how assistive technology can help people with vision impairment. Many features are standard within computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Robot guide dogs 

Research and development in the field of robotics are also paving the way for innovative solutions like robot guide dogs. One notable example is the project developed by the University of California, Berkeley, which aims to create a robotic guide dog equipped with advanced sensors and AI to assist visually impaired individuals. While these robotic companions are not yet ready to replace the trained talents of a real dog, they represent a promising step toward enhancing mobility for those in need. 

A firm future for our furry friends 

Despite these technological advancements, the invaluable services provided by our assistance dogs remain irreplaceable. Assistance dogs offer more than just practical help; they can provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of security that technology cannot (for now) fully replicate. 

This is why assistance dogs will continue to be an essential part of life for many disabled individuals, even as technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds. 

So, as we celebrate International Assistance Dog Week, it is essential to recognise the profound impact these dogs have on their owners' lives. While technology continues to evolve and offer new ways to support individuals with a range of needs, the irreplaceable assistance provided for us humans by our intelligent and intuitive canine companions ensures that assistance dogs will remain a crucial part of our lives for the foreseeable future. 

Further resources