A group of Rice University students has developed a vibration vest that helps blind dogs safely move through their surroundings. The innovation uses spatial sensing and haptic feedback to guide visually impaired pets like Kunde, a Houston dog who inspired the project.
The Dog That Sparked Innovation
Kunde lost his vision due to glaucoma. His owners, Grant Belton and AJ Price, reached out to Rice University’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen for help. That’s when four engineering undergraduates — Adam Vuong, Cristiana De Sousa, Issy Tsai, and Santiago Brent — stepped in to create a smart mobility device tailored to Kunde’s needs.
How the Vest Works
Traditional mobility aids often rely on the animal bumping into obstacles. This vest takes a more proactive approach. It uses stereoscopic cameras mounted near the dog’s head to detect nearby objects. The cameras feed depth data to a custom-printed circuit board, which processes the information in real time.
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When an object is detected, linear resonant actuator motors embedded in the vest vibrate. The closer the obstacle, the stronger and more focused the vibration on that side. This gives the dog a sense of direction and distance without physical contact.
Smart Design for Comfort and Safety
Making the vest comfortable and weather-resistant posed its own challenges. De Sousa ensured the material was light and breathable — suitable for Houston’s humid climate but durable enough for outdoor use. The team split responsibilities based on their expertise: Brent handled imaging and data, Vuong and De Sousa focused on system integration and design, and Tsai developed the vibration control system.
Potential Beyond Pets
Using open-source software and affordable electronics, the students created a prototype with an eight-meter range and two-hour battery life. Kunde is actively testing the vest, which has already shown promise in reducing collisions and building the dog’s confidence.
The team showcased their invention at the 2025 Huff OEDK Showcase. They believe the same technology could one day aid humans with mobility or vision impairments, making the vibration vest a step toward smarter, more inclusive wearables.
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