Autonomous Canine Guidance

Researchers at Auburn University have created a device that allows people to remotely control a dog. It's like a backpack that the dog wears that produces tones and vibrations that direct the dog. Push a few buttons on your remote control, and the dog does what you want — with an accuracy rate of 98%! However, it's not quite as gee-whiz as it may initially sound, because a dog needs to be trained to respond to this thing. In other words, it ain't something for your average lazy pet owner. It's intended for rescue dogs and the like. [eurekalert]
     Posted By: Alex - Thu Sep 05, 2013
     Category: Dogs





Comments
My alma mater! War Eagle!

I actually saw these dogs on campus once and got to see it in action...brilliant!
Posted by Moses on 09/05/13 at 09:44 AM
Cool concept! :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 09/05/13 at 09:53 AM
Why not go all out and make up something like the robot dog from Woody Allen's "Sleeper"?

Computerized dog: Woof, woof, woof. Hello. I'm rags.
Miles Monroe: Is he housebroken or will he be leaving little batteries all over the floor?
Posted by KDP on 09/05/13 at 12:12 PM
The concept makes sense. Dogs follow whistles, hand signals, etc so why not this too. Of course, putting a speaker on the pooch and a microphone on the handler may not be a bad idea too as most trained dogs already respond to voice commands?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 09/05/13 at 12:27 PM
This gives a whole new meaning to the "Ding .. Poof .. Slobber" Pavlov type of experiment.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 09/05/13 at 04:21 PM
They've had these for years, its called a whistle. Check out border collies hearding sheep.
Posted by Robert on 09/05/13 at 06:07 PM
Interesting idea, but I agree with Robert. Dogs have been trained and have worked for and with humans for centuries without any fancy gizmos to cart around.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 09/05/13 at 08:06 PM
Are these yet available for our wives ? (I'm in so much trouble now) :ahhh:
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 09/06/13 at 04:24 PM
Whistles are all very well (indeed, are very well) in an open field, but not as much in, say, a crash site. When there's a lot of rubble around and small places to crawl through, where a dog can go in (relative) safety but a human can't even approach, I can see this being very useful.
In fact, I can't help but think that it could've been very useful exactly twelve years ago.

(And let me add: one big paws up for all rescue dogs, anywhere.)
Posted by Richard Bos on 09/11/13 at 07:26 AM
Nice post with useful information!
Posted by Boo on 10/20/13 at 04:50 PM
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