An atypical service animal may be making its way into non-animal friendly places within the next few years thanks to Elon researchers, who are working on creating robotic dogs with artificial fur.
Elon University mechanical engineering major and rising senior Zoë Scherpbier and assistant professor of engineering Blake Hament have built the dogs to counter the lack of awareness about service animals.
The combination of the mechanical dog and sensorized fabric is an unexplored idea meant to imitate fur for comfort and aesthetics. It’s so niche that Scherpbier had trouble with the research aspect of the project.
The term sensorized fur comes from Scherpbier and is defined as yarn with pressurized points that can react to any physical interactions with the robotic dog.
“So the fur itself is the sensor,” Scherpbier said “We’re comparing those two and then we’re mixing them in a blend and creating its own yarn and weaving them or knitting them together and then detecting cross sections. So the actual yarn itself will be the sensor.”
The robotic dog was designed to ease people with anxiety and PTSD. “What if I did something that involved something emotional support wise?” Scherpbier said.
The sensation of the imitation fur underneath someone’s fingers aimed to have a calming effect for those who come in contact with it. Scherpbier and Hament strived to remove the eerie aspects of the robotic dog. They hoped to bridge the gap between the robotic and the biologically alive. Additionally, it would ensure a cleaner environment in public spaces because the dogs cannot carry illnesses or use the bathroom.
Another goal of this creation is to offer people information about their heart rate, blood pressure and posture by revealing pressure points, similar to sensitized fabrics’ use in the medical field. The goals are theoretical because the technology has not been tested yet, but Scherpbier said she believed the robotic dogs would be limited by water or heat because of the specific fabrics being used in the fur, making it not as convenient as a typical service animal.
Scherpbier said that she used a combination of stainless steel fibers, and either cotton or acrylic fibers. Scherpbier said cotton would be the most aesthetically pleasing, but the most limited of the three. Through a tedious process called drop spindling, a combination of $20 yarns turn into imitation fur. Reminiscent of a spinning wheel, Scherpbier intertwined a previously brushed out combination of stainless steel and acrylic/cotton into a weave, meant to encase the dog.
The development of this advanced technology brings an ethical issue into question about the replacement of emotional support animals with robotic ones.
But the accessibility of service animals for groups who need it were strained because of the instability of the current economy. Compared to the $15,000 cost of service animals, according to supportdogcertification.org, robotic dogs are cheaper, costing around $10,000, according to Scherpbier. Even so, Scherpbier said “the robot dogs are not an attempt to replace regular service animal dogs.”
Traci Bethea
Traci Bethea was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and raised in Greensboro, NC. She lives with her older sister, parents, and grandma and attends Weaver Academy of the Performing Arts. She found writing to be an outlet of both her creativity and other unprecedented emotions she wasn’t even aware of. She joined the Newspaper club in both her elementary and middle school, and also advanced in a program for her short play. She currently is involved with both yearbook and journalism club, and writing bios for the yearbook was her favorite aspect of it! She enjoys writing different facets of literature, including plays, poems, and journal entries. She enjoys listening to music, warm weather, distinct laughs and the moon.
Keanu Frazier
Keanu Frazier was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, where he is a junior at Neuqua Valley High School. He has participated in extracurricular activities, such as Neuqua Eco Club, Interact Club, Star Raiders Club, volleyball teams and volunteer activities in the community. Additionally, he has always had a passion for storytelling, which began in acting through Paramount School of the Arts and other local theatre programs. His desire to use his voice has allowed him to branch out into marketing and communications. As such, Keanu holds a social media marketing certification and will be a part of the yearbook club his senior year. He is looking forward to pursuing his collegiate education in marketing and communications.
Arihanth Nuka
Arihanth Nuka is from Austin, Texas, and is a senior at the Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy (LASA) High School as an honors student. In addition to his academic ventures, Arihanth also shares his passion for knowledge by tutoring math, English and science. He has been playing guitar for nine years and shares his joy of playing by making students tailor lessons to meet each their unique needs. Arihanth enjoys community service and is part of the Junior Liaison board in LASA National Honor Society. Additionally, he started the VTSeva chapter at his school, leads initiatives that aid those in need, and organizes volunteering events throughout Austin for VTSeva and LASA NHS. His efforts have earned him the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award. He has also demonstrated success in competitions, including being the first in nursing assisting at LASA HOSA, advertising at the state level of the Future Business Leaders of America,and earning his black belt in Tang Soo Do martial arts. He aspires to continually use his skills and experiences to make an impact on his community and beyond.