Dogs are used by the military to scout areas for explosive devices, hazardous materials and assist in rescue operations.

However, often giving dogs the necessary commands to perform missions can put soldiers in harm’s way. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has developed an augmented reality (AR) solution that allows dog handlers to give specific directional commands while keeping the solder out of sight.

The AR system, developed by Seattle startup Command Sight, could fundamentally change how military canines are deployed in the future, ARL said.

“Augmented reality works differently for dogs than for humans,” said Dr. Stephen Lee, an ARO senior scientist. “AR will be used to provide dogs with commands and cues; it’s not for the dog to interact with it like a human does. This new technology offers us a critical tool to better communicate with military working dogs.”

How it works

The AR goggles are designed to fit each dog with a visual indicator that allows the dog to be directed to a specific spot and react to the visual cue in the goggles. The handler can see what the dog sees as it provides commands through the goggles. The AR prototype is wired, keeping the dog on a leash, but researchers are working to make it wireless in future phases of development.

“We will be able to probe canine perception and behavior in a new way with this tool,” Lee said.

Currently, military dogs are directed via hand signals, which require the handler to be in the sight of the dog or by laser pointers. However, this means the handler must remain close to the dog that could be a safety issue. The alternative is to place audio communication, a camera and a walkie talkie on the canine to direct it and keep the handler further from the dog but this could lead to confusion with the verbal commands.

The AR system uses goggles that military working dogs have already been wearing for protection in harsh conditions and aerial deployments, so ARL is leveraging goggles that are already in use by the canines.

“Even without the augmented reality, this technology provides one of the best camera systems for military working dogs,” Lee said. “Now, cameras are generally placed on a dog’s back, but by putting the camera in the goggles, the handler can see exactly what the dogs sees and it eliminates the bounce that comes from placing the camera on the dog’s back.”

The next steps

The first phase of the AR system has been completed and the next phases will focus on the feasibility of the project leading to a prototype demonstration of the technology for specific applications. The Department of Defense Rapid Reaction Technology Office has provided funding for this next phase.

Command Sight is working with Navy Special Forces to build prototypes that will be tested on military dogs with each dog receiving a 3-D scan to get dimensional data to understand where to place the optics and electrical components of each dog.

Over the next two years, researchers plan to develop a production level wireless product.