Soon, dogs can ‘speak’ to humans

LONDON: Researchers are developing a new device that allows dogs to become tech savvy and manipulate the gadget in order to 'speak' to humans. Called Fido or "Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations," the device being developed by The Georgia Institute of Technology lets dogs bite or tug their handlers to trigger tones audible to them and may even alert them to particular explosives.

Researchers said the canines quickly became adept at manipulating the gadgets, 'The Times' reported. They hope that Fido will help bomb sniffer dogs to inform their handlers about what types of explosives they have encountered, while rescue dogs could remotely alert a paramedic that they have discovered an injured person. The technology could have domestic applications, too.

Pets may be able to tell their owners they are hungry, Melody Jackson, one of the professors working on Fido, suggested.