DOST: An Interactive Stray Dog Collar

Abstract

In a world that is becoming more and more urbanized, the issue of humans coexisting with stray dogs raises complex questions about empathy, public interaction, and community well-being. This industrial design project aims to tackle this challenge by creating a product that promotes empathy and positive engagement with stray dogs, specifically in Pakistan, where there are prevalent negative perceptions and harsh treatment of these animals. The project focuses on urban areas such as Islamabad, targeting educated locals as a starting point for broader societal change. The research methodology includes comprehensive user research involving surveys, interviews, and observations to understand the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of campus students towards stray dogs. This is followed by the exploration of various design elements and strategies that can encourage interaction and empathy, drawing upon principles of psychology and industrial design. The development phase involves creating and testing prototypes to evaluate their effectiveness in promoting empathy and interaction. Feedback from user testing will guide iterative design improvements. Additionally, collaboration with local animal welfare organizations and experts ensures the design aligns with best practices and addresses the unique challenges in Pakistan. The final product is an interactive collar for stray dogs, incorporating features like a solar-powered GPS for tracking, a QR code to provide information about the dog's health and history, and a zip-tie mechanism to ensure safety and ease of use. This design not only aims to reduce negative perceptions and fear of stray dogs but also seeks to promote a compassionate 7 and informed community engagement model. By leveraging technology, psychological principles, and design, this project aims to create a more humane urban coexistence, mitigating the suffering of stray dogs and encouraging positive behavioral change in society. This project is part of the broader theme of socially conscious design, where the goal is to create functional and aesthetically pleasing products that provoke positive behavioral change. Addressing the overpopulation and mistreatment of stray dogs, the project advocates for solutions like Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release (TNVR) as recommended by global animal welfare organizations. By creating a model for positive human-animal interaction, the project aspires to contribute to the welfare of stray dogs and inspire other cities in Pakistan and beyond to adopt similar empathetic and practical approaches to managing stray animal populations.