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"A new device is taking Pavlov's dogs to a whole new level. It's more remote control than classical conditioning, but the idea is similar \u2014 a programmable pooch.\nThe idea comes from engineers at Alabama's Auburn University, who are about to publish a paper on what they call a system for autonomous canine guidance. The scientists are trying to help\u00A0train search-and-rescue dogs to rival hall-of-famers like Lassie and Beethoven, turning man's best friend into a sort of bio-robot.\nSee also: What If People Behaved Like Dogs?\nTo get the dogs on board, they're fitted with a\u00A0suit that has a microprocessor, wireless radio, and GPS receiver. The get-up makes the canines look futuristically fashion forward, but the idea is that these dogs can not only receive and execute\u00A0commands remotely, but\u00A0can immediately respond and react to queues, tones and vibrations that spring them into action.\u00A0Researchers claim an overall success rate of 86.6% accuracy in trials. As dogs are already effective in finding contraband, missing persons and disaster victims,\u00A0this system could help save lives, and protect handlers from dangerous environments. It could also improve the ability of service dogs to assist their human masters.\nFor those concerned with animal rights and ethics, this could ruffle some feathers, or even cause some to wonder if this same technology could be applied to other species \u2014 or even humans (the list of remotely controlled animals using electrode implantation includes\u00A0spiny dogfish sharks, rats, pigeons, and even cockroaches).\u00A0Still, the idea so far seems to be intended for the greater good, not to exploit our canine friends \u2014 or turn them into furry slaves.\nWhat do you think? Is this a good idea? Check out the video above and tell us in the comments below.\nImage: FLICKR / Christina Picuzza \n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/09/04/canine-remote-control/>