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New AI Dog Trainer Uses Computer Vision and a Treat Launcher


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autonomous dog training

CompanionPro identifies a dog's body posture to assess its readiness for training.

Credit: The TensorFlow Blog

A startup called Companion Labs has unveiled an AI-driven dog-training machine in conjunction with the San Francisco SPCA.

The CompanionPro trainer contains image sensors, a Google Edge TPU AI processor, wireless connectivity, lights, a speaker, and a proprietary "treat launcher" that delivers all-important training rewards.

Computer vision is key to how the machine works, detecting a dog's comportment in real time to tune its delivery of rewards to reinforce desired behavior.

Companion Labs says the machine will "excel at performing repetitive tasks with perfect consistency and infinite patience," according to a blog post. "Companion technology will allow shelters to leverage the time that animals spend alone to reduce stress and teach dogs the behaviors that may help them to get adopted faster and stay in loving homes forever."

Companion Labs was founded by John Honchariw, a shelter volunteer who has also held engineering management roles at Google's robotics and AI units.

From CNET
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