Advanced assistive technology delivering unprecedented independence, safety, and opportunity for the blind community.
Imagine navigating the world with a companion who never tires, sees every obstacle, speaks every sign, and opens doors to employment previously thought impossible. This isn't science fiction—it's the future of assistive technology.
Humanoid robots represent a quantum leap in assistive technology, offering capabilities that traditional aids simply cannot match.
2/3 founding board members are from the blind community
Superior to Guide Canes
Traditional white canes detect obstacles at ground level but leave you vulnerable to hazards at chest and head height. Signage, directions, and environmental details remain inaccessible without human assistance.
Complete environmental awareness — identifies obstacles at all heights
Verbal communication — reads signs, menus, labels, and provides detailed navigation
Proactive guidance — anticipates hazards and suggests optimal routes
All-condition operation — functions in rain, snow, darkness, and extreme conditions
Beyond Guide Dogs
Guide dogs are remarkable partners, but they face inherent limitations. Training costs $50,000+ per dog, takes 18-24 months, and their working life spans only 8-10 years.
24/7 availability — no fatigue, no rest periods, always ready
Unlimited working life — decades of service with routine maintenance
All-environment capability — functions in restaurants, hospitals, workplaces
Zero animal welfare concerns — the ethical evolution of assistive technology
The Humane Choice
By choosing robotic assistance, you're making a compassionate decision. No animal spends its life in service. No breeding programs required. No concerns about working conditions.
Ethical technology — compassion meets innovation
Employment support — assists with workplace tasks impossible for animals
Advanced communication — verbal interaction and complex task assistance
Immediate availability — no waitlists or matching process
Economic Impact
The Trillion-Dollar Opportunity
Unemployment among individuals with blindness represents a staggering economic loss—and an unprecedented opportunity for transformation.
$411B
Global GDP lost annually due to blindness
$152B
Annual economic loss in the United States alone
$1.4T+
Net benefit potential from full economic integration
With robotic assistance, careers in healthcare, finance, law, technology, and education become truly accessible.
Workplace Navigation Demo
Your Robotic Companion at Work
Transportation and navigation are the #1 barriers to employment for the blind community. Your robotic companion transforms workplace capability—independently navigating office environments, reading documents and presentations, and ensuring confidence in professional settings.
Workplace navigation — independently access all areas of your workplace
Document assistance — reads screens, printed materials, and handwritten notes
Meeting support — identifies speakers and describes visual content
Our flagship assistive platform leverages the most advanced humanoid robotics technology available today.
Next-Generation Capabilities
The Tesla Optimus Gen 3 represents a significant leap in humanoid robotics, with almost no components carried over from previous generations. Designed for human-level dexterity, AI integration, and mass manufacturability.
While our current focus is on the Tesla Optimus platform, Robots for the Blind remains committed to evaluating and deploying the most effective assistive technologies as they emerge.
Physical Dimensions
5'8" / 125 lbs
Human-scale design with lightweight frame for natural walking alongside users.
Walking Speed
Up to 5 mph
Natural, human-like gait with autonomous balance correction on uneven surfaces.
Hand Dexterity
22 DOF
Degrees of freedom per hand with cable-driven fingers for precise, human-level manipulation.
Vision System
8 Cameras
Autopilot-grade cameras processing 576+ megapixels per second for comprehensive perception.
Battery Life
2.3 kWh
All-day operation for light-duty tasks with autonomous self-charging capability.
AI Integration
End-to-End
Modified Tesla FSD neural networks with natural language interaction and environmental mapping.
Safety & Mobility
Unmatched Capabilities
Every feature is designed with independence, safety, and dignity in mind.
Real-Time Safety
Continuous obstacle detection and avoidance with emergency response capability. Force-limited interactions ensure safety at all times.
GPS Navigation
Precise location tracking with step-by-step verbal navigation instructions. Safe street crossing assistance and traffic pattern recognition.
Facial Recognition
Identifies known contacts and describes new faces. 99.7% accuracy enables confident social interactions and professional meetings.
Natural Language
Full verbal interaction for environmental descriptions, document reading, and complex task assistance. Powered by advanced AI language models.
Public Transit
Navigate buses, trains, and stations with confidence. Real-time schedule integration and crowd navigation support.
24/7 Availability
No fatigue, no rest periods, always ready to assist. Your robotic companion is available whenever you need support.
Leadership
Led by Lived Experience
When founders have lived the challenge, the solution is built on real understanding.
Photo of Dr. Matthew Sherwood
Dr. Matthew Sherwood, Ph.D.
Founder & Chair
In 2008, Matthew Sherwood was 24 years old and four months away from becoming a father. He was also going blind. Diagnosed with Best Disease—a hereditary condition—his vision deterioration was compounded by multiple concussions from playing Division I football at Liberty University. Within months, he lost his vision entirely. His oldest child would be born into a world where Dad couldn't see her face.
Matthew faced a choice: accept limitation, or redefine what was possible. He chose the latter—building an extraordinary career managing a $3 billion portfolio for MMBB Financial Services while serving on the boards of the American Foundation for the Blind, Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Leader Dogs Foundation, Guide Dog Foundation, and Surpassing Sight Foundation.
For a decade, Matthew navigated with a white cane—facing dangerous close calls like nearly being struck by traffic on Fifth Avenue. Then came Chris, his guide dog, who transformed his mobility but brought new challenges: biological unpredictability in professional settings, distraction from food and strangers, and the inability to verbally communicate what he saw.
When Matthew learned about Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot, he saw the solution to every limitation he'd experienced: verbal communication, complete environmental awareness, 24/7 reliability, and professional dignity. He founded Robots for the Blind with capital from his fintech startup sale (WeVidIt) to make this transformative technology available to every individual with blindness—at no cost.
"I wanted to be independent and efficient without relying on a guide cane or guide dog. I'm most comfortable walking while holding onto a handler—someone who can see the world and guide me through it. The Tesla Optimus robot provides exactly that: a tireless, capable handler who's always there."
Every robot placement represents a life transformed—independence gained, opportunities unlocked, barriers shattered. Join us in building a world where blindness is never a barrier to opportunity.
