Wearable computers could let service dogs communicate

Researchers at Georgia Tech say they're developing technology aimed at easing communication between an animal and its handler. Aimed at rescue dogs and dogs working in security situations, the technology dubbed "facilitating interactions for dogs with occupations," or FIDO, equips dogs with a vest or collar integrated with four sensors that can be activated when the dog bites, tugs or puts its mouth nearby, the researchers said. The sensor causes an audio notification to be transmitted to the handler, who listens through an earpiece. The system could eventually include video, which could be transmitted from a dog to a human monitoring a heads-up display; Google Glass technical lead Thad Starner has been working with the Georgia Tech researchers, PC Magazine reported Monday. Three service dogs participating in a study were quick to grasp the technology, which could eventually allow bomb-sniffing dogs to remotely communicate with their handler about discovered explosives, the researchers said. Rescue dogs could remotely alert a human team upon discovery of an injured party, they said.