Work in progress from Salma Mayorquin and Terry Rodriguez on Hackster.io:

For the most current resources, instructions on this project go to the [repo]

In automation, we often focus on engineering humans-in-the-loop to take advantage of the cognitive strengths of computers and the human mind. But dogs have a set of skills making them very well suited to certain tasks that humans cannot effectively perform. PoochPak introduces the sensors to relate that experience in terms of metrics we are interested in.

Home Monitoring

Low power sensors like a heart rate monitor or microphone can be actively monitoring until triggered to take readings from resource intensive sensors like a camera.

Likewise, detecting certain objects can escalate to sending a text message while recording an image. Here, a dog’s mobility and curiosity facilitate information gathering from a different vantage. This is still a weakness of home security systems reliant on stationary cameras.

Pet Recovery

While the cost of implanting an RFID chip in your pet is negligible, the logistics of finding your pet depend on somebody with the hand held chip reader helping. With cellular GPS and visual cues, you are more likely to safely recover your pet.

Security/Rescue

This furry deployment mode may lend well to infosec applications. Adding a USB adapter while perhaps swapping the harness for something more benign makes war driving a walk in the park.

Furthermore, the canine shows an astonishing work capacity in security and rescue operations. Dogs can move fluidly through terrains and through spaces that humans awkwardly navigate.

PoochPak can put a pooch path on the grid. This documentation can make Search and Rescue efforts more efficient and reproducible.

With another USB port, operators can introduce a microphone/speaker to communicate with those trapped or drop a pin for GPS.

With PoochPak, you can take a look through the eyes of your watchful companion.

Read more on Hackster.io and GitHub

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