Google collaborated with the Georgia Institute of Technology in developing a wearable computer system, or Google Glass, that will be used by bomb-sniffing and cadaver dogs. This specially designed Google Glass will make communication easier between these working dogs and their handlers.
This project, dubbed as FIDO (Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations), would allow dogs to activate a sensor which will then send a message to its handler. This means dogs can go farther away from its handler and keep in contact with each other. The device will be attached to the dogs teeth and clothing.
The developers are currently testing the device to ensure that the sensor will really work. Once the sensor is activated, it will send a tone which will be heard in the earpiece of the handler. This sensor-tone is the form of communication that the two will have. However, the developers are also looking at the possibility of including a video which will be displayed to the handler.
The testing seemed to be successful at its initial stage as three dogs have successfully activated four different sensors by biting, tugging, or putting their mouth nearby. This technology will be useful for making bomb detection easier, as well as helping disabled people. A grant from Google will let the researchers continue its study and expand its applications. In the future, even pets may have it to alert the owner if it is hungry or needs to go out.
The developers admitted though that there were problems encountered that need to be resolved first before making it fully available in the market. The biggest issue they had is the battery life, but they are already considering making a solar-powered Google Glass so that there will be less need for the device to recharge. Another is durability since some devices are easily damaged through water exposure as well as a few bumps which are unavoidable with our dogs. Last is the idea of still looking good while wearing it.
The researchers are hopeful that this technology will be accepted by the public the same way we accepted the smartphones. The $1,500 Google Glass has not been released to the public because of protests against it though the tech giant hopes to make it available by 2014.
The news first came out in MIT Technology Review.
