ConnexionYour Dog Can Now Turn On the Lights (No, Really)
We’re living through a strange moment where our refrigerators are smarter than ever, our thermostats learn our habits, and now, apparently, dogs can control household appliances. The Dogosophy Button, developed by researchers at The Open University’s Animal-Computer Interaction Laboratory, is a wireless switch designed specifically for canine use. Think of it as a smart home device, but instead of asking Alexa, you’re teaching your golden retriever.
This isn’t some novelty gadget cooked up to go viral on TikTok. The button is the result of years of serious research led by Professor Clara Mancini, who runs the ACI Lab. Initially created for assistance dogs who need to help their owners turn on lights, fans, or kettles, the button has now been launched to the public for any dog owner who wants to give their pet a bit more agency. The philosophy behind it, called “Dogosophy,” centers on designing technology around how dogs actually experience the world, rather than forcing them to adapt to our human habits.
Designer: The Open University’s Animal-Computer Interaction Laboratory
So what makes this button dog-friendly? Start with color. Dogs see the world differently than we do, and blue happens to be one of the colors they can recognize most clearly. The button’s push pad is a bright blue, set against a white casing that creates high contrast, making it easier to spot against floors, walls, or furniture. The slightly curved, raised shape means dogs can press it from various angles without needing pinpoint accuracy, which anyone who’s watched a dog enthusiastically miss their water bowl can appreciate.
The button itself is built to handle the reality of being used by an animal. The outer casing is sturdy plastic designed to withstand repeated nose-booping and paw-whacking. The push pad has a textured surface that helps dogs grip without slipping, whether they’re using their snout or paw. Inside, a small light flashes when the button is pressed, soft enough not to hurt their eyes but clear enough to confirm the action worked. It’s the kind of thoughtful design that comes from actually studying how dogs interact with objects, not just shrinking human tech down to pet size.
The system is refreshingly simple. Each set includes the button, a receiver, and basic mounting hardware. The receiver plugs into whatever appliance you want your dog to control, from a lamp to a fan to a kettle. The button connects wirelessly up to 40 meters away, giving you flexibility in where you place it. Press the button once, the appliance turns on. Press it again, it turns off. No app required, no monthly subscription, no “please update your firmware” notifications.
For assistance dogs, this kind of tool is genuinely useful. A dog trained to help someone with mobility issues could turn on a light when their owner enters a dark room or switch on a fan during hot weather. But the public release opens up more playful possibilities. Your dog could theoretically learn to turn on a fan when they’re overheated, activate a toy dispenser when they’re bored, or signal when they want attention by flipping a lamp on and off like a furry poltergeist.
Of course, training matters. Professor Mancini tested the button with her own husky, Kara, noting that huskies are notoriously stubborn compared to more biddable breeds like Labradors. The button works if your dog is motivated and you’re patient. This isn’t plug-and-play; it’s more like plug-and-train-with-treats-and-repetition.
The Dogosophy Button is priced at £96 (including VAT) and is currently available through retailers like Story & Sons. Whether it becomes a legitimate tool for pet owners or just an interesting experiment in animal-computer interaction remains to be seen. But there’s something appealing about the idea of designing technology that considers more than just human needs. Professor Mancini puts it plainly: humans have built a world measured for ourselves, often pushing other species out. A button that meets dogs on their terms feels like a small step toward sharing space more thoughtfully.
The post Your Dog Can Now Turn On the Lights (No, Really) first appeared on Yanko Design.
