A robotic tour guide using a NAO T14 humanoid with a wheeled mobile platform

A NAO humanoid T14 model is employed to perform the functionalities of a tour guide for a college of engineering building. A wheeled mobile platform is designed and implemented to allow the robot to navigate. The software framework is developed to support a database of room descriptions, room number recognition, speech/gestures throughout the tour, as well as remote control of motion and live streaming of video captured by the robot to provide virtual tours. Future research on the tour guide robot is presented. This multi-year project provides opportunities for undergraduate students to conduct practical robotics research.