Google Glass for dogs? It looks like humans and canines alike will benefit from the wearable technology. Google Glass and Georgia Institute of Technology scientists have teamed up to create project FIDO (Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations), which could allow bomb-sniffing and rescue dogs to communicate with their handlers using the latest Google gadget.
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Google Glass scientists are creating wearable technology, titled FIDO, that bomb-sniffing and rescue dogs could use in the field. (photo: Reuters)
The device designed for pups is headed by visiting associate professor Melody Jackson, professor and Google Glass technical lead Thad Starner as well as research scientist Clint Zeagler, MIT Technology Review reports. The FIDO technology is expected to benefit disabled individuals, bomb squads, rescue teams and even pet owners. How does Google Glass for dogs work?
The FIDO device activates a sensor on the dog's vest or collar in order to transmit a verbal command to the handler, who can hear the message through an earpiece or see it on a head-mounted display. The researchers fitted a dog vest with an Arduino microprocessor, Daily Mail reports, and tested four different sensors. The Google Glass-inspired device for dogs could be activated by tugging, biting or merely putting it close to the dogs' mouths.
Professor Melody Jackson told the Review that the technology appears to be a success, as three service dogs that tested the Google Glass-like gadget quickly got the hang of the mouth-activated senors, NY Post reports. The early findings of the FIDO project will be released in a paper at ISWC 2013 in October.
With the wearable Google gadget, dogs can help a wide array of individuals, in both high-pressure occupations as well as everyday life. The FIDO device will allow bomb-detecting dogs to communicate with their handlers remotely, sending information on the type of bomb. Rescue dogs can also use the Google Glass gadget to send messages to handlers distantly, notifying humans when they've discovered an injured person.
Technology Review notes that a grant from Google will also allow researchers to study the previously stated applications of the FIDO device. The future could also see recreational uses of the Google Glass for dogs, allowing pets to alert their owners if they are hungry or need to go out. The wearable technology lets humans see through the eyes of man's best friend.
Where privacy issues were sparked with the introduction of Google Glass, the FIDO project also faces some obstacles. MIT reports that battery life is the biggest issue of the moment, as well as durability. Aside from technical concerns, mainstream acceptance of the wearable technology is a prevalent problem, with many people seeing Google Glass as a societal imposition. Despite these issues, researchers and scientists remain hopeful.
"At first people are going to say it's weird," Professor Jackson says, according to Technology Review, "but then everybody will want one."
What do you think about Google Glass for dogs?
For tips, complaints and observations on all things digital, email us at tips [at] idigitaltimes.com
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© 2012 iDigitalTimes All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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The device designed for pups is headed by visiting associate professor Melody Jackson, professor and Google Glass technical lead Thad Starner as well as research scientist Clint Zeagler, MIT Technology Review reports. The FIDO technology is expected to benefit disabled individuals, bomb squads, rescue teams and even pet owners. How does Google Glass for dogs work?
The FIDO device activates a sensor on the dog's vest or collar in order to transmit a verbal command to the handler, who can hear the message through an earpiece or see it on a head-mounted display. The researchers fitted a dog vest with an Arduino microprocessor, Daily Mail reports, and tested four different sensors. The Google Glass-inspired device for dogs could be activated by tugging, biting or merely putting it close to the dogs' mouths.
Professor Melody Jackson told the Review that the technology appears to be a success, as three service dogs that tested the Google Glass-like gadget quickly got the hang of the mouth-activated senors, NY Post reports. The early findings of the FIDO project will be released in a paper at ISWC 2013 in October.
With the wearable Google gadget, dogs can help a wide array of individuals, in both high-pressure occupations as well as everyday life. The FIDO device will allow bomb-detecting dogs to communicate with their handlers remotely, sending information on the type of bomb. Rescue dogs can also use the Google Glass gadget to send messages to handlers distantly, notifying humans when they've discovered an injured person.
Technology Review notes that a grant from Google will also allow researchers to study the previously stated applications of the FIDO device. The future could also see recreational uses of the Google Glass for dogs, allowing pets to alert their owners if they are hungry or need to go out. The wearable technology lets humans see through the eyes of man's best friend.
Where privacy issues were sparked with the introduction of Google Glass, the FIDO project also faces some obstacles. MIT reports that battery life is the biggest issue of the moment, as well as durability. Aside from technical concerns, mainstream acceptance of the wearable technology is a prevalent problem, with many people seeing Google Glass as a societal imposition. Despite these issues, researchers and scientists remain hopeful.
"At first people are going to say it's weird," Professor Jackson says, according to Technology Review, "but then everybody will want one."
What do you think about Google Glass for dogs?
For tips, complaints and observations on all things digital, email us at tips [at] idigitaltimes.com
Check out more hot tech & gaming articles from iDigital Times
© 2012 iDigitalTimes All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.