AFD News: Amazon introduced Vee-ARF, VR for dogs
Aprill 1st, 2021 (AFD News)
by Damon Shun
Amazon (AMZN) announced today their first in-house device designed for use by dogs, the Vee-ARF, Virtual Reality goggles for dogs.
Developed in association with the Veterinary Ophthamology Group, they have been designed to work with a dog’s optical system.
“Dogs process vision in a way that is somewhat different from human beings,” said Dr. Ojo Perro. “We had to make adjustments to the currently available technology to create a satisfactory experience. For example, dogs need to be able to see something in a size approximating its actual size to identify it, which is why they aren’t capable of recognizing a strictly visual image of the humans in their lives on a phone screen.”
Amazon presented three main use cases:
- Passthrough enables the dog’s guardians to see what the dog is seeing through the Amazon shopping or Alexa apps. Since the goggles are light enough to wear all day, this lets the guardian check in on what the dog is doing remotely from work or any location. The video can also be recorded and shared
- Augmented Reality inserts a controllable virtual object into the dog’s field of vision. This can be used for training retrievers, as well as accustoming them to the appearance of someone who might be visiting later
- Full Virtual Reality has proven effective in calming dogs in stressful situations, such as a trip to the vets. “Dogs generally will not experience a world simulation the way a person does, but calming sounds and dog-approriate colors have been shown to have a soothing effect,” said Dr. Perro. “This may also be particularly helpful as dogs adjust to being home alone again as the pandemic enters a new phase.”
No release date was announced, but an Amazon spokesperson said that Amazon Prime (at AmazonSmile: benefit a non-profit of your choice by shopping*) members will be able to pre-order Vee-ARF at this year’s Prime Day (at AmazonSmile: benefit a non-profit of your choice by shopping*), adding
APRIL FOOLS!
Vee-ARF doesn’t actually exist…this is just my annual April Fools’ Day post!
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* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. 🙂
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This post by Bufo Calvin originally appeared in the I Love My Kindle blog.
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