Pa(w)ticipatory design – Designing mediated wearable interaction between an air-scent search dog and a human

Abstract: Designing for and with animals is common within Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI). However, studies involving animals within the design process has challenges due to verbal barriers, and an unclear methodology on how to both understand, and analyse animals in ACI. This paper explores how an air-scent search dog can participate in the design process from the beginning to end involved in various design methods with a Participatory design (PD) approach, to empower the relationship between human and dog with the help of wearable technology. The study explores the benefits and challenges of the involvement of other species than humans in the process of making a prototype. Furthermore, two types of tools with biting and pulling interactions attached to a vest were developed and tested on an air-scent search dog in two different environments. Due to the verbal barrier between dogs and humans, it was necessary to let the dog participate by testing physical prototypes. This study aims to empower this relationship between an air-scent search dog and its handler with the help of wearable technology. The results suggest that direct contact with the other species is crucial in the creation and iteration of prototypes regarding; weight, placement, and wearable technology. The results also showed that in the context of search training, or situated based action, it is crucial to test the prototypes in an environment that reflects a real scenario in a forest, which is a typical place for search training.