2. Interactive Virtual Dog Training
The New York iteration of the MoD has gotten a significant tech upgrade from the St. Louis location which only had analog displays. The new museum features six interactive digital stations including multiple Meet the Breeds stations where, using a touch screen table, visitors can review information on all 193 recognized breeds. At another station, visitors can find out what type of dog they most resemble. Perhaps the most exciting interactive station is the Trainer Zone in the Dogs on the Job exhibit. Fausel demonstrated for us how visitors can practice training a virtual service dog by standing in front of a full length screen. Visitors can speak commands and use hand signals to interact with a digital labrador on the screen who will listen to commands like sit, fetch and speak and can be rewarded with a treat. To create this activity the museum captured footage of a real life retriever wearing a motion capture suit.