Dogs deployed by the U.S. Army could soon be fitted with augmented reality (AR) goggles.
The specially designed headset, which like regular AR goggles overlay specific information on a real-world image, are being developed by Seattle-based Command Sight in a project managed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL)
Currently, army dogs receive commands from their handlers via physical gestures or laser pointers, but this means the animal has to be visible to the handler throughout. Commands can also be delivered remotely via an audio system, but the setup isn’t always reliable.
Fitting a canine with a pair of AR goggles would offer more freedom during activities in the field as the dog could then venture far beyond the current,
(CNN) — Dogs working in the United States military could in the future wear augmented reality goggles that enable soldiers to give them remote commands.
The goggles are being developed by Command Sight, a Seattle-based company, with US Army research funding, and would allow military dogs to assist in rescue operations and scout potentially dangerous areas for hazards and explosives while their handlers remain at a safe distance.
The technology, which the US Army says is the first of its kind, works by letting a handler see everything the dog can see and then provide specific commands using visual cues that show up in the dog’s line of vision.
Currently, military dogs are most commonly directed with hand signals or laser pointers, which require the handler to be in close proximity. Handlers can also use audio communication, with a camera and radio attached to the dog, but the commands can
Future dogs: Army developing augmented reality goggles that receive commands from soldiers
Hed: Future dogs: Army developing augmented reality goggles that receive commands from soldiers
The Army is developing high-tech augmented reality goggles for dogs that eventually could allow handlers to give them directions from afar, the service said.
Military working dogs are directed via hand signals, speaking or laser pointers, which require the handler to remain close by. That can potentially endanger soldiers on missions that involve finding explosives and hazardous materials, or assisting in rescue operations, the Army statement said Tuesday.
The goggles developed by the Army and the Seattle-based company Command Sight show dogs where to go using a simulated laser pointer.