Augmenting Canines
Project Overview
University
Year
About
Search-and-rescue dogs often work beyond their handlers’ sight in unstable environments where noise can make verbal commands impossible and signs of heat exhaustion may go unnoticed. Augmenting Canines uses a wristband to detect the handler’s muscle movements and translate silent gestures into vibration commands delivered to the dog. A sensor collar and camera transmit location, body temperature and thermal imagery to the handler, with alerts indicating potential overheating. A cooling vest provides additional protection, supporting faster searches, safer working conditions and more effective disaster response.
Team
Carlita Portales
Carlita Portales Parapar is a Product Manager and Design Engineer pursuing her M.S. at Harvard University (SEAS & GSD). Specialized in engineering emerging technologies, her work sits at the intersection of AI-enabled solutions and human-machine interfaces. She creates technologies that bridge critical gaps in human and non-human performance by combining psychology, behavioral science, and physical-digital prototyping. Carlita develops advanced symbiotic architectures to optimize safety, streamline multi-sensor data delivery, and transform health workflows for humanitarian and rescue deployments.