I think we communicate just fine without any fancy equipment, don't we, Parental Unit?
What happens when North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine collaborates with its computer science and electrical and computer engineering departments? In this case, the result is a "Smart Harness", a device that can be customized for different purposes, and ultimately will allow a dog and owner to improve their communication.
This article in a recent New York Times describes a Smart Harness as "a computer-equipped back pack worn by the dog...and that operates as a platform for two-way computer-mediated communication between dogs and handlers." Researchers hope this new technology "will allow owners to better train their pets" and improve training and communication with search and rescue dogs.
Apparently in the real world, more sophisticated methods of communication (other than staring at or pawing your parental unit until you get what you want) are necessary to help train working dogs. Hmmm. What do you think about this new technology? Let us know!
