VECTOR: Visual Evaluation of Canine Training and Operational Readiness

Abstract: Military Working Dogs (MWDs) play a critical role in supporting mission success across a range of tasks, including detection, search and rescue, and patrol operations. However, there is a lack of advanced tools to quantify canine focus, visual attention, and responsiveness to commands during training and operations. Without precise data on how dogs perceive and react to their environment, trainers and handlers face limitations in optimizing performance and identifying areas for improvement. Existing monitoring solutions are largely indirect or limited to physiological metrics, leaving a significant gap in understanding the cognitive and perceptual dynamics of MWD behavior. Addressing this gap requires a solution that combines real-time, actionable analytics with durability and adaptability to military operating environments.The proposed technology, VECTOR (Vision-Enabled Canine Training for Operational Readiness), is a wearable canine eye-tracking and behavior analytics system designed to provide real-time insights into canine perception and response. VECTOR integrates advanced visual and audio tracking with robust software analytics to measure fixation, visual attention, and reaction times to verbal commands. The system also includes enhanced contrast visualization tools to identify environmental features that may challenge canine perception due to color vision limitations. Enclosed in a ruggedized, lightweight housing with an integrated power source, VECTOR is designed to function in demanding military environments while meeting durability and ingress protection standards. This system delivers a new level of measurement and feedback capability, enabling trainers to assess and enhance performance with precision previously unattainable.The Phase I effort will focus on defining full-scope system requirements and acceptance criteria, redesigning the enclosure for military-grade durability, and enhancing software to support advanced behavioral analytics. This includes iterative prototyping of the enclosure to withstand environmental and operational stresses, as well as developing software features for visual and audio data analysis tailored to MWD training needs. Testing will validate performance under real-world conditions, leveraging input from military stakeholders and MWD trainers to refine the solution. A final report will include a comprehensive requirements specification, validated hardware and software prototypes, and a commercialization plan for broader markets. This foundational work in Phase I will enable a robust Phase II effort to execute Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) of a full-scale VECTOR system, advancing it to operational deployment readiness.