US Army may use AR goggles for bomb-sniffing dogs


By MYBRANDBOOK


US Army may use AR goggles for bomb-sniffing dogs

A pair of augmented reality goggles for dogs will be provided by the US Army that will allow handlers to issue commands from afar as the canines sniff out bombs.

 

Currently, when dogs go in search of explosives, they rely on their handlers to give them directions via hand signals, laser pointers, or voice. As such, those handlers need to be near their dogs, which can put the handlers in danger.

 

A company called Command Sight, however, has developed AR goggles for dogs, which will allow handlers to remain out of sight while giving their dogs commands.

 

“We are still in the beginning research stages of applying this technology to dogs, but the results from our initial research are extremely promising,” Dr. A.J. Peper, Command Sight founder, said in a statement. “Much of the research to date has been conducted with my Rottweiler, Mater. His ability to generalize from other training to working through the AR goggles has been incredible."

 

Dr. Peper acknowledges that "we still have a way to go from a basic science and development perspective before it will be ready for the wear and tear our military dogs will place on the units." One challenge is the fact that the current prototype is a wired device, meaning a handler still needs to be nearby, with the dog on a leash. A wireless version is in the works, but will take about two years to develop.

 

“Augmented reality works differently for dogs than for humans,” said Dr. Stephen Lee, an ARO Senior Scientist. “AR will be used to provide dogs with commands and cues; it’s not for the dog to interact with it like a human does. This new technology offers us a critical tool to better communicate with military working dogs.”

 

Dogs have already been equipped with goggles to protect their eyes in inclement conditions, as well as during aerial deployments, the US Army says, so they are used to the sensation of wearing the devices.

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