Computer Interprets Dogs' Barks
A Hungarian scientist has developed computer software that interprets the barks of a certain breed of Hungarian dog. This is exciting news, especially for so many dog owners who are convinced their pets are saying intricate and purposeful things whenever they bark. Turns out, they may be right.
The software analyzes distinct barks that indicate the emotional state of the Hungarian Mudi herding breed (pictured above) in six situations: when the dog is alone, when it sees a ball, when it fights, when it plays, when it encounters a stranger or when it goes for a walk.
Not quite a full range vocabulary but it's a start. Down the road, he and colleagues expect the software to be applicable in consumer products to allow easy human-dog dialog.
For now, though, the software was only three percent better than humans at correctly determining which of the six scenarios was in play while one of the dogs barked, so it may be a while before you can find out specifically what your canine pal really thinks of the new chew toy you got him.
But wait. We seem to remember a little toy from a few years ago called the Bow-lingual. A little digging confirms this device from Japan's Takara company, which was clearly marketed as a toy, claimed to interpret dog barks and relay statements like, "I'm feeling great!" or "Come on, play with me!" Interestingly enough, the toy maker also determined there were six distinct vocal patterns do be identified within dogs' barks and took into account the differences between the barks of 50 breeds. Impressive. To our disappointment, the official Bow-lingual Web site is no longer active. (But back in 2003, the folks at ExtremeTech took a close look at the toy.) And cat lovers, don't feel left out -- there was also a Meow-lingual.
As for the Hungarian scientist, he says there is work to be done and improvements to be made to his software. The first thing we want him to do is develop a program that automatically helps us understand his Hungarian accent so we can figure out what else he's been saying.
From Reuters.
Related links:
- Gadget Silences Noisy Neighborhood Dogs
- The Dog That Speaks French, Sort Of...
- PetCell, the Mobile Phone for Dogs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Michael Wright @ Jan 16th 2008 4:25PM
Over the years, barking dog nuisances have inflicted me with much stress and sleep deprivation. Although the city of Norman, Oklahoma, has both animal and noise control ordinances, the police and city officials do next to nothing about this problem. I once obtained a written opinion from an animal behavior expert who said that the main reason dogs bark excessively is neglect by their owners. She called it "separation anxiety." Humans are the dogs' meal ticket, so when they are left alone they get anxious. Our society now has an epidemic of miscreants who ignore their dogs. It's time for laws implementing selectivity about who can own a dog.
doglvr @ Jan 16th 2008 4:51PM
It's not possible to interpret dogs. Dogs aren't designed like humans with intelligent brains, and they don't have a language, just sounds. Like a human laughs, screams, etc. Just noises that express, without being an actual language. So, to the weak-minded suckas that'll beleive everything they hear, buck up!
jim @ Jan 16th 2008 4:56PM
BS... Dogs bark for any and no reason whatsoever. I dont know who your "experts" were but every 2 years these "experts" come out with something else that contridics previous statements. Do you know why? It is because they are influnced by their own opinion so depending on what one wants to say they can make a simple dog barking into neglect or make it that a dog bark is a friendly way to say its here. Remember people, dont always trust the experts. AFter all 50 years ago the "experts" all agreed smoking was a fine way to relax with no health related side affects...
Noelle @ Jan 16th 2008 5:00PM
Language is highly complicated behavior and any intelligent dog owner will tell you that dogs are capable of quite a bit of communication. Just because it isn't on the same level as human communication doesn't mean it is diminutive, or less valid. Dogs are highly intelligent creatures, capable of thought, language, emotion and many other things as well. Any "dog lover" who thinks otherwise has little understanding of language and neurocognition. Or empathy.
chubbydog811 @ Jan 16th 2008 5:36PM
it does not mean they are saying words but they are expressing emotion and different emotions are expressed in different ways...like different sounds. so those different sounds (maybe not words) can be translated. i doubt it translates it into sentences but it probably tells you the emotion the dog is expressing by a certain sound.
kathy @ Jan 16th 2008 5:48PM
I have two Great Danes and they communicate with me in their own, distinct ways through barks and other sounds. I know their individual personalities, and they communicate with me in different ways. It amazes me how they can distinguish words and my tone of voice. Anyone who has dogs surely would agree with me.
Lizzie @ Jan 16th 2008 5:52PM
Dog are not intelligent? Let me see. Humans: Work to survive; have dumb rules regarding clothing, cars, parking etc. Spend time going to supermarket, malls, repairing broken stuff, keeping appointments, go to war and die. Stress out about school, work, money, children and family members. A DOGS LIFE: look cute, attract chicks, being petted, catch frisbee, go to the vet, chase cats, being love. Now, Who is the dumb one?
el @ Jan 16th 2008 5:54PM
Dogs is Dogz! I've grown up with doggies & you can "interpret" hounds by the bark, kisses & time(as all of ours know/knew). Enough of "barkless collars" (cruel). Let a dog BE a dog as ,sadly,they're not on this Earth long because they're loyal, loving creatures who are always faithful. Bless our Baileymay. She's 10 but acts like a puppy. Hogs up our bed & couch, begs & she's worth every penny. How I miss the curs I've had over the years: (Mitty/Taffy/Shadow/Yasko/Snoop/Lacy/Sabby...) I'm sure they're running around in Doggy Heaven, playing, smiling & sending more love from above. As I say: Dogs IS Dogz! Happy New Year!
Claude Chabana @ Jan 16th 2008 6:52PM
If only dog owners would realize how anoying the barking of their dogs is, they propbably would think twice before getting one.
Apparently they are oblivious to the barking as I experienced several times.
When I mentioned that their dog was barking when left alone, they said: Really????
I say: either cut their vocal chords or train them with a collar that send a charge when they bark.
Claude Chabana @ Jan 16th 2008 6:55PM
In addition, dogs need to walk, tehy need to poop, and that is also a problem. When they walk their dogs on my hillside street, their dogs poop. Some pick up some of their poop, but some of it stays attracting flies, flies that go around and sit on fruits and vegetable in my garden.......
I say: get rid of dogs and get a cat instead. anyway they are more cuddly.
Amanda @ Jan 16th 2008 7:22PM
Claude Chabana-
You are an ignorant, beastly human being. Maybe we should burst your eardrums so you can't hear the dogs barking. How'd you like that? What makes you think that humans are so superior to animals? Most creatures in nature are smarter and more civilized than we are. If anything, humans are the low man on the totem pole, but some are too dumb to realize that.
Sharon @ Jan 16th 2008 7:41PM
Depends on who's paying for the research.
Ron @ Jan 16th 2008 7:43PM
I don't need a computer to figure out what my pets are saying. Even our gold fish let us know when they're hungry, and they can't even bark!
Jane @ Jan 16th 2008 7:46PM
I can remember when the 'bow lingual' thing came out. Someone in my neighborhood had it on her dog in the local dfog run... Because it was a Japanese company they had to translate the phrases to English (and I'd think languages for other places where they mzarketed the $125- 'toy'). She got hers for free by virtue of being on a panel of mostly Columbia students chosen in a Focus group (all dog owners; their pay was free product). What they did was listen to phrase in English what the thing said the dog was saying... I'm not sure how it was done, but she was dissatisfied. Most seemed on target for the most part, but there was one which read 'I'm confused.' We could not see that... BUT when my male dog was bugging hers, her dog (female, of course!) DID tell him to get lost!!
Wheelz @ Jan 16th 2008 8:12PM
Dogs are gonna bark, it's human nature!
MrCrwf @ Jan 16th 2008 9:21PM
I think dogs bark for the same reasons most people talk... 1) to get attention, and 2) to hear themselves make noise!
Angelica @ Jan 16th 2008 9:43PM
I Agree with a lot of comments here . but lets
think about this idea. let s have those researchers , hook up a pc to pres bush s body
and see what all his barking thoughts and emotions are about lol . may be for once the public could understand and interpert him lol.
god bless the usa and our troops abroad
ks @ Jan 16th 2008 9:44PM
My neighbor's dogs bark whenever they leave for work--at 4:30 in the morning...and at children walking home from school...and at the elderly woman taking her trash out...and at about anything that moves in the alley...I can tell you for certain...it all sounds exactly the same.
Angelica @ Jan 16th 2008 9:47PM
I agree with a lot of the comments here . but
here s a better thought ..let the reasearchers,
hook up a computer to Pres Bush and see what all
his barking is about .perhaps we might finally know and understand , his thinking lol . God bless the usa and all the troops .
monser perez @ Jan 16th 2008 9:48PM
PLAIN stupidity; why so many humans??? seem to want to comunicate with a stupid dog?? DOGS LAN-GUAGE CAN'T BE TRANSLATED. STOP THE NONSENSE. You
dog lovers: GET A LIFE!!! By the way; Congres should create a national law mandating extermination of all barking dogs...