Towards multispecies interaction environments

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the role of mobility assistance dogs in human society and the challenges they face when operating in human environments. We present the findings of an ethnographic study at a training facility as well as the findings of early evaluations of canine-friendly switches. We discuss how the species-specific implementation of core interaction design principles could inform the design of interaction environments that better support these skilled workers.

The Emerging Nature of Participation in Multispecies Interaction Design

“…This is typically the case with working dogs, who are often required to carry out specific tasks on behalf of humans. These tasks might include helping people with disabilities [21]; helping during military or search and rescue missions [16]; or helping to diagnose medical conditions [22]. When reporting on the development of technologies to support the work of these dogs, ACI researchers often discuss the training process the dogs go through, either to learn their tasks or to learn how to operate the technology designed to support them in those tasks.…”

“…The training activity was part of a research project aiming to develop canine-centered controls that can be retrofitted in domestic or public buildings to facilitate the work of mobility assistance dogs trained to operate a range of domestic appliances on behalf of their assisted humans [21]. These dogs are effectively an interface between the humans and their environment, so it is essential that they can properly access the environment in which they operate.…”

“…The prototypes were mounted on a display located at one side of the building's very large atrium, which was well lit, well ventilated and relatively quiet, with very few people occasionally passing through. The apparatus, described in detail by Mancini et al [21], included 4 controls (Fig. 1).…”

“…In open fields [28], laboratories [38], farms [27], zoos [44] and homes [43], nonhuman animals are increasingly coming into contact with it. Either technology mediates humans' interactions with other animals [9] or animals mediate humans' interaction with technologized contexts in which both humans and animals operate [21]. To support these users, the emerging discipline of Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) [24] aims to design animal-centered technology applying animal-centered methods [46].…”

“…This is typically the case with working dogs, who are required to carry out specific tasks on behalf of or in cooperation with humans, to support which ACI researchers have begun to develop a range of technologies [16,19,21,22,34]. While capitalizing on existing canine capabilities, the tasks that these dogs need to perform are not necessarily part of their evolved behavior and therefore require learning, usually through training.…”