A panoramic canine video system for USAR operations

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Dog-mounted video camera systems are used in several applications for policing (general service and tracking) and military (patrolling, off-lead work, raids, HALO) operations. Commercially available canine video systems typically consist of a single camera mounted on a dog's back or side and pointed forward; the resulting field of view only captures a limited view of the area in front of the dog. We propose a canine mounted video system using multiple cameras in order to generate a 360-degree field of view, allowing virtual pan and tilt. While dog mounted camera systems exist, to the best of our knowledge, a system combining the fields of view gathered from multiple cameras in order to form a seamless 360-degree view of the dog's surrounding is not currently available. The development of a virtual pan and tilt, 360-degree point of view system employing multiple sensors mounted on a canine harness is proposed. The system will allow an operator to virtually pan and tilt a frame of view showing the dog's surrounding environment from the dog's point of view. The system will provide the ability to pan and tilt the viewable frame in any direction, independently of the dog's body orientation and movement. For the purpose of this project, a canine harness with an integrated rigid sensor frame will be designed and software for the analysis and display of the collected data will be developed. Data gathered using the harness from multiple sensors will be post-processed to form a seamless 360-degree field of view; software with virtual joysticks will allow the user to pan and tilt the frame of view in any direction during video playback. In the future, we envision this technology being used to process video in real time; together with a Head Up Display (HUD), the technology will enable an observer to look around from the dog's point of view. MaxGear Inc. will assist in the design and development of a prototype dogonomic canine harness. The harness will be designed to house multiple camera sensors affixed together with a rigid frame, while not restricting the dog's movement.