Scientists invent device that lets dogs talk (yes, really!)

Imagine if the next time you asked your dog to go “walkies”, it answered back…

It might sound like something out of a cartoon, but thanks to a group of scientists in the USA, doggy dialogue may actually become a reality!

A team at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a computerised doggy vest that can help our four-legged friends better communicate with their owners – it’s a new field of science they’re calling “animal-computer interaction.”

The idea is that it could help assistance dogs, such as those that work with disabled or blind people, who might need to ask humans for help should something bad happen to their owner.

In emergency situations, assistance dogs are trained to alert another human to the problem, but as it stands, there’s no way for the dog to put into words that they need help.

But the new doggie vest promises to help pooches overcome this by actually allowing them to talk – well, sort of…

The vest includes a handy mechanical lever which, when pulled by the dog, plays an audio message: “My handler needs you to come with me!”

The clever new kit could prove to be life-saving for people with conditions like diabetes, who in an emergency might fall unconscious. With the new device, the doggy helper would be able to run for help and lead a person to their poorly owner very quickly. Search and rescue dogs would even be able to send the location of a missing person using internet signals.

And it isn’t just dogs! Scientists think the technology could also help animals such as cattle and horses communicate with humans when they are unwell, something that isn’t always easy for vets to figure out.

Melody Jackson, head of the FIDO (Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations) team kitting dogs out with the new vests, said that when people hear the voice, “they jump back three feet, because the dog is talking!”

The vests are already being tested on dogs in the USA, so let’s hope they come to the UK soon, too!

What do you make to the new doggie device? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Likes

THANK YOU

Your comment will be checked and approved shortly.

WELL DONE,
YOUR COMMENT
HAS BEEN ADDED!

COMMENTS1

darn it

man i thought the buttons were the only way
Mackenzie

Yay!!!! can't wait and also I'm AMAZED!!! If I could rate this I would give it a 5 out of 5!
star1112

cool as the star
star1112

cool
George

So cool
Wonder

I love it
sea lion

my 4 dogs will love that!!!
IsabellaL

soo cool
Matilda

Epic!
Isabella

it would be nice to understand my dog alice
Jesse

So cool man
Shreya

I think that the idea is great because normally dogs and other animals try to communicate to there owners and now because of this idea all animals can communicate with there owners.
nice
Tharuk the boss

How about on kittens! PLZ
john

is this real
Chelsea

Yay
Harper

Amazing
More dog books
Chloe

It was awesome and I think it will really help people in the future with a disibilitie like
Tomi Majekodunmi

wow
Laila

Sounds amazing I need this I'm always thinking my dog mist have a lot to say and soon I could know. I like how it could also help people who are struggling or going through a hard time with diabetes or illnesses.well done
Someone

Hi this is cool
Lili

Just amazing! Maybe this device will be popular one day!
peanutbutterjellytime

awesome sauce
Me9

Amazing device!!!
Aly ll

Cant wait
IndigoRiver

amazball i want it for my dog
Boingo

Unbelievable !!!!!!
DS 5151

Lol!!!!!!!! I can not believe this stuff
Gecko_lover

Wow!!! That fantastic!
Emily_Grace

Cool!
Luna

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poppsyelephant

SO CUTE
Samantham

I like this book because of the best way for dogs to be a great pet is to teach or train them.
k

amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hdsmna

OMG
liz98277

awesome my dog will be able to talk back
Adimchi

YOUR AVATAR
Erin

Dogs talking that has always been my dream....I wondor what would happen if all animals could talk
animalia

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RumpAhTrumpDump

This is cool I could talk it my dog instead of mean people YAY
gkkkkkk

fhfhhhi
lol456

Sooooooo cool Dogs and people can finally communicate!!!!!
Cutedog117

Awesome I want one
Alollie

wow sooooooo epic I want one NOW!!
DA

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
kiera999

wow i cant take in all the information lol
Sharky_Ninja

AWESOME!!! I love dogs...
Wolfygirl

This could save loads of lives
Meloetta

This revolutionary device will surely greatly advance the quality of our health and safety society as we know it.
pinky

so this could actually come real
Yuck8

Very advanced science!!!!!!