Paws for thought as canines put the kettle on.
A new wireless button designed for dogs to operate home appliances has been launched by the Open University.
Called the Dogosophy Button, the invention allows dogs to switch appliances on and off using a special device. It comes after research led by Professor Clara Mancini at the Milton Keynes-based OU’s Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) Laboratory,
Initially developed to support assistance dogs switch on lights, fans or kettles, the button is now being made available to the public for all dogs.
It’s the result of extensive research by the ACI Lab’s team into dog-centred design. Drawing on insights from years of collaboration with UK charities Dogs for Good and Petplan Charitable Trust, the team at the ACI Lab created a button that dogs can use easily, comfortably and independently.
The device features a blue push-pad suited to canine vision, a textured convex surface for grip, and a gentle light that confirms successful activation. It responds to nose nudges and paw presses and can be positioned anywhere within a 40-metre range of the appliance it is used to control.
It has a battery-powered wireless button, a receiver to connect to appliances and fixings to attach the button securely to surfaces.
“I am delighted to see the Dogosophy Button concept finally become available as a product to benefit assistance and companion dogs alike, by making it easier for them to control aspects of the environment in which they live,” said Professor Mancini.
“Dogs live in a world that is not designed with them in mind, which challenges and constrains their daily interactions with it. With the Dogosophy Button we want to begin to change that, by making our shared environments more accessible for dogs and more inclusive for all. The device’s simplicity and portability make it very versatile, which is one of its strengths.”
Available from this month, the Dogosophy Button brings a new level of accessibility to dogs and dog-assisted living, canine experience and human-animal interaction.
