The United States military is working on augmented reality (AR) glasses for military dogs. This is being done to increase the remote commanding of the animal when they’re not in the line of sight.
“This new technology offers us a critical tool to better communicate with military working dogs,” says Mr. Stephen Lee, one of the senior scientists in the Army Research Office.
Dogs will be equipped with augmented reality (AR) goggles to enhance the communication between the military dog and its human handler. As of now, the system is in the prototype stage and is being developed by a Seattle-based company called Command Sight in partnership with the US military.
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The current prototype includes a pair of goggles, a camera, a display that fits over the dog’s eyes, and a visual indicator that directs the canine. Special training will be given to the dogs to follow the visual indicator. Meanwhile, the handler of the military dog can see what the dog sees through a remote video feed. However, the current prototype isn’t wireless yet, so the handler needs to be closer to the dog.
Each device is customized for each dog especially. The dog is scanned in 3D so the goggles and the whole system can be fit and used by the dog and the handler.
Moreover, the US military dogs are involved in tactical operations, patrol, detection, and specialized searches. Mant rimes military dogs have to scout in dangerous areas when looking for explosive devices or materials.
What US Military says about the AR goggles for dogs
“Augmented reality works differently for dogs than for humans” explains Stephen Lee, a senior scientist. Mr. Lee also says “AR will be used to provide dogs with commands and cues; it’s not for the dog to interact with it as a human does. This new technology offers us a critical tool to better communicate with military working dogs.”
As of now, the US Military used to guide the dogs in their mission through verbal commands, hand signals, and even laser pointers. So, the instructor or the handler of the dog has to be close to the dog even during life-risking missions.
Earlier in the past, walkie-talkies, and cameras were used, but they were not so reliable. They arose confusion in the military dog. So, that’s what Stephen Lee, a senior scientist in the Army Research Office said about the AR goggles for dogs.
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