Is A Treat-Tossing Robot The Future Of Dog Training?

An ex-Googler has developed a robot that uses artificial intelligence to train and interact with your dog when you are away. The CompanionPro is still in the development stage but the system will soon be tested in select households. The company is positioning the machine as a useful tool at home, for working dogs, at boarding and daycare centers, as well as in shelters.

How the CompanionPro Works

John Honchariw used to work for Google. He heads the tech start-up, Companion Labs. He and his team have developed a robotic dog training system that uses artificial intelligence to get to know a dog so that it can deliver personalized training and engagement. “Essentially we act as your proxy when you’re away,” Honcahriw told CNET’s Now What. “When you can’t be with your dog, the Companion can help.”

The robot has a set of sensors that take in visual, infrared, and motion information that allow it to “see” what your dog is doing. There is an audio component that combines the robot’s voice and that of the dog’s human to give the dog verbal commands. When the robot “sees” that the dog is doing what has been asked, such as to sit, the machine tosses a bite-sized treat to the dog. The machine also notices good behaviors autonomously and rewards those “desired behaviors” as well, For example, if a dog lays down on his bed, the robot will throw him a treat. Over time, the system starts using human commands to request those behaviors. 

Honchariw explains the process further: “Once [the machine] knows that your dog is really comfortable and having a good time, we look for the behaviors that you want to train. Once we see those behaviors, whether it’s sitting, coming toward the device or staying, we reinforce them.” Positive reinforcement is delivered in the form of a proprietary treat aimed towards the dog from the robot. Space-age and amazing! 

How it Could Help in Private Households

Many dogs and their humans struggle with separation anxiety that leads to destructive behavior. Others still have high energy dogs who are easily bored when left alone at home. Having a robotic companion interacting with a dog who is home could help them not feel so alone and keep their mind engaged and active. Instead of having hours of boredom with opportunities to act out, your anxious or high-energy dog would have companionship and interaction.

Robotic Training Could be a Game Changer for Shelters

The machine could also be an excellent addition to shelters where in-house trainers are spread thin. Most shelters face a hard reality. The number of dogs they have to train far exceeds the number of trainers they have available. Of course, everyone does the best they can with the human resources they have but trainers are inevitably spread thin. Imagine the possibilities if a shelter had the CompanionPro as a training tool. The number of training hours would go up exponentially. Better trained and more well-mannered dogs are more appealing to potential adopters. Robotic training could be a major game-changer for shelters.

The Future of Dog Training?

Could this really be the future of dog training? The potential is undoubtedly there, especially as a supplement to an irreplaceable human trainer. However, the CompanionPro comes at a steep price (monthly rates starting at $249) that many shelters will have trouble justifying or fitting into their stretched budget. That being said, founder Honchariw has said that Companion Labs will “always operate on a nonprofit basis with nonprofit shelters.”

CompanionPro is available for preorder for mid-2020 delivery to animal organizations and will be placed in a limited number of private homes. A $50 deposit today gets you in line for your own. 

H/T cnet.com
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