Communications of the ACM
New Tech Aims to Improve Communication Between Dogs and Humans
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed technologies they say can be used to enhance communication between humans and dogs.
Credit: North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University (NCSU) researchers have developed a suite of technologies that can be used to enhance communication between dogs and humans. "We've developed a platform for computer-mediated communication between humans and dogs that opens the door to new avenues for interpreting dogs' behavioral signals and sending them clear and unambiguous cues in return," says NCSU professor David Roberts.
The platform is a harness, worn by the dog, which is equipped with a variety of technologies, including one that enables humans to communicate with dogs, and another that enables dogs to communicate with humans.
"Dogs communicate primarily through body language, and one of the challenges was to develop sensors that analyze this behavior by observing their posture remotely," says NCSU Ph.D. student Rita Brugarolas. "We developed software to collect, interpret, and communicate those data, and to translate human requests into signals on the harness."
The platform also includes physiological sensors that monitor heart rate and body temperature, offering information on a dog's emotional state, such as whether it is excited or stressed.
"This platform is an amazing tool, and we're excited about using it to improve the bond between dogs and their humans," says NCSU professor Barbara Sherman.
From NCSU News
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