US Homeland Security Wants to Outfit Its Dogs with Wearable Tech

HaloLights to prototype a sensor-equipped harness that monitors dogs’ Health data.

Image credit: HaloLights

The US Homeland Security wants to make sure that the thousands of dogs that work for the agency stay healthy. So, the agency signed a $200,000 contract with HaloLights to prototype a sensor-equipped harness that monitors dogs’ heart rate, body temperature and other vitals. In addition to health data, the harness would also track each dog’s GPS location and monitor environmental factors like air temperature and humidity.

The data would be fed back to support staff in real-time and alert them of any irregularities, reports Nextgov.

K-9 units in Customs and Border Protection often work in tough conditions. They sniff out illegal drugs, firearms, currency and trafficked persons at ports of entry and along the border. HaloLights’ Canine Health Analytics Monitoring Platform (C.H.A.M.P.) can provide a holistic picture of each dog’s health, helping Homeland Security keep its K-9 units safe and strong, according to an official.

Read more Animal Dermatology Group Announces Scientific Publication Validating Wearables for Dogs

“With the potential risks Customs and Border Protection canine agents face in their daily operations, there is an expressed desire for improved health monitoring tools to ensure their safety,” Don Roberts, who manages the office’s Detection Canine program, said in a statement. “In funding this project, [the Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate] is working to ensure that officer safety, human or canine, is a priority.”

Image: HaloLights

Melissa Oh, the SVIP managing director, said:

“Ensuring the proactive detection and intervention of health complications will simplify the work [U.S. Border Patrol] does to keep K-9 agents in top shape.”

As of 2016, Customs and Border Protection had more than 1,400 K-9 units deployed across the country.

Read more These Wearables for Animals Will Keep Your Pets Happy and Engaged in Social Media

Based in Orlando, FL, HaloLights produces LED dog collars. The company mentioned its partnership with the Homeland Security in its facebook page, saying:

“We’re very humbled to be working alongside the Department of Homeland Security SVIP S&T Directorate in developing smart k9 wearables that will aid in the safety and wellbeing of all working K9s.”

Sam Draper
February 14, 2019

Innovation of the Month

Do you want to discover more, visit the website
Visit Website

Other news

Wearable Cardiac Devices Market Worth USD 6.4 Billion By 2026, According To Global Market Insights

The growing adoption of wearable technology across the healthcare sector will drive the global...

Are Smart Rings the Smartwatches of the Future?

Smart rings make a great wearable device because of their smaller size and the way they fit.

Dissolving Implantable Device Relieves Pain Without drugs

Researchers developed a small implant that relieves pain on demand by wrapping around nerves.

Launch of an Annual Wellness Checkup

VirtualCheckup is a new way for employed Americans and their partners to get an annual wellness exam
Discover more