Woof FM

Remote Communication with Hearing Impaired dogs

Communication with hearing impaired dogs is extremally difficult, but Woof FM has the solution!. This remote communication device uses the sensation of tapping to provide commands to your deaf dog from a distance. The ergonomic harness is fitted with four pockets, each holding a tapping unit and the remote has four large buttons that corresponds to each tapping units. With positive reinforcement training, your dog will quickly learn to associate each tap with a specific command. Along side trainers and vets we have created an easy to ready and understand helping hand booklet to help you on your way! You can breathe easy and give your deaf dog the freedom to live it's best dog life with Woof FM.

Harness

Ideation, testing and prototyping

Use of paper and fabric prototypes

Design Features

Sensitive Areas - Body movements such as shoulder blade rotation and sensitive areas such as the dogs throat have been taken into account for the design of the harness. The chest plate provides both an area to disperse pressure from the dog pulling and length to ensure the adjustable straps are kept away from the shoulder blade rotation.

Adjustability - Both the front and the back straps are adjustable to accommodate for a variety of different sized and shaped dogs bodies. The adjustable straps at the front allow for people to ensure there is no pressure on the dog's throat.

Tapping units - These require enough space between for the dog to differentiate between locations. This impacted the amount of room available for adjustable straps

Accessories - A D ring and strap for attachable light or tracking device has been included

Easy to put on - An over the head slip on design allows for usability ease without needing to get the dog to step into the design which can be difficult with some dogs.

Hemp Fabric - Durable, lightweight, odour, mildew and mould resistant

Removable Tapping Unit

Adjustable

Removable Tapping Unit

Space for the neck

Wide Front to Disperse Pull Pressure

Space for Shoulder Blade Rotation

Sketching

Initial Prototyping

Fabric and Sewing Testing

Final Prototype

Tapping Unit Layout Ideation

Technology

Remote and Tapping units

Working prototype with Arduino

TAPPING UNITS

Research into electronic components used to create a tap revealed few “tapping” machines on the market. One product that was suitable was the 9g servo. Servos are small, light-weight, affordable and can be set to move the arm from a to b and back within a certain time frame. For the working prototype I used two Arduino, two transmitter/transceiver modules, four buttons and four servos. The final design is able to be created with each servo wireless by using a circuit and transmitter.

ARDUINO

Tapping Units

Remote

EXPLOADED VIEW

Remote

Concept generation was explored through sketching. Remote design requirements include: four buttons (one each tapping unit), easy to read icons on each button for both visually impaired people and speed to communicate with your dog in an instant, an ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing design, unique look (for easy recognition) and a clip on the back for easy access. The final design was chosen as it fit this criteria, the large buttons allow for space for easy to read icons.