Helping Pedestrians with Special Needs to Cross the Roads using a Robot

The increasing pedestrian accident rate, especially among disabled individuals and children, demands innovative solutions.Many pedestrians in the US have lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, occurring at a rate of one fatality every 75 minutes, as reported in 2022.Despite this, road safety rules have seen minimal changes, presenting a considerable danger to pedestrians.Individuals with disabilities face heightened risks due to impaired mobility or sensory functions, and there is limited data on road traffic injuries for this group.Children, particularly at school crossings, are vulnerable, potentially struggling to analyze situations and panicking without adult or school staff assistance safely crossing the street.