The Automated Control of Complex Tasks in Animals

The aims and opportunities of our Automated Control Enhancement(ACE) modules are enabling of automated training of complex tasks in animals; innovative new remote tele-presence/robot/canine operational teams; and, ultimately, entirely new classes and types of augmented-reality enhanced canines. Initial canine screening, selection, and early-skill acquisition are most efficiently performed within ACE add-on modules fitted to existing portable containers where the target scent detection and other complex tasks are performed within our tightly controlled environment, with tactile, audio, and video cues in addition to conventional obstacles and realistic search conditions. Automated, repetitive, consistent leading and reinforcement of complex tasks along with automated performance measures drastically reduce the human experts’ participation in hours and costs. ACE add-on modules can also be used in field training and, ultimately, operational scenarios. Existing canine realistic training methods can be augmented with ACE modules, enabling seamless progression to operational scenarios. Specifically envisioned are tele-presence and automated control progressions from within portable containers, to in-the-field conditions, to remote control operational scenarios with robots, and, ultimately, animal-wearable ACE-modules. Beyond our initial focus on canine complex tasks and operational enhancements, we envision reuse of our successful innovations for other species of animals, again progressing from portable structure training, tele-presence remote symbiotic partner(s), and, eventually, animal-wearable, augmented-reality symbiotic enhancements.