It might sound like something from sci-fi or even satires like The Day Today, but the ability to contact dogs remotely could prove to be an extremely useful development.

Jeff Miller and David Bevly of Auburn University in Alabama are responsible for developing a new system for communicating with man’s best friend. Using GPS tech, a dedicated microprocessor and other adapted tools, a dog-owner can send wireless messages to a distant canine. As described by Science Daily, the dog receives the messages through a command module that generates tones and vibrations that the dog can easily interpret.

Early testing of the system has proven extremely effective, showing dogs obey commands up to 98% of the time. The most potentially significant benefit of the prototype technology, therefore, is perhaps its consistency. By communicating via electronic tones and vibrations, it makes it more likely the dog will be able to identify the command - theoretically more reliable than human voice commands, and with the added benefit of being usable over otherwise inaccessible distances and terrain.

Although the very concept of ‘remote controlled’ dogs may cause some concern - animal rights advocates might not take kindly to the risk of 'slave dogs' - there are many potential positive uses for the tech. It could allow handlers to communicate with bomb detection or drug sniffing dogs in difficult terrain. This could be especially useful when combined with video cameras and other mobile devices, allowing the human to issue more reactive commands based on changing circumstances.

Since dogs can still reach many areas humans cannot, canines equipped with the new system could ultimately be used to respond to emergency situations faster and more dynamically than any current robotic alternatives.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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