THE ARGOS PACK
A lunch pack in the form of a harness vest for working dogs in the fields of military, search and rescue, and k-9 units who have high energy levels and work eight plus hours a day. The Argos Pack boosts work proficiency and efficiency so that work dogs can stop and eat whenever and wherever their job requires, before returning back to the critical work at hand. The name comes from the dog character, Argos, in the Odyssey. In Homer’s Odyssey, Argos proves to be a loyal dog till the end of Odysseus’s life which still proves to be symbolic of the bond humans share with dogs in modern and pop culture today.
First steps in designing a harness vest for working dogs required research of the users and preexisting products and problems. Often times previous designs were created with two large pockets on both sides of the dog with only buckles while it lacked a harness, vest fit to provide the dog more stability and comfort.
Ideation: Ideation and concept sketches for this product came through the different forms in pocket shapes/sizes, human interactions, and harness styles and fits. The story board illustrates the work dog in its setting at a search and rescue site, working with the human trainer, becoming lethargic, eating the food from the pack, and the bond between the working dog and the owner.
3d Rendering and Physical Models: 3d models are rendered in Fusion 360 while a physical mock up was created on a smaller scale to represent the shape and materials used in The Argos Pack – ripstop nylon, waterproof interior linings, mesh fabric, and spacer foam. The harness is made to fit over the dogs head and strap around the stomach to provide a comfortable and efficient way of being worn. A larger, zipper pocket is included on each side panel, one for dry dog food, and the other for a water bladder, like the common Camelbak. A smaller, tightly sealed, yet easily accessible pocket is located on the back of the harness, acting as storage for treats and rewards. A handle is located on the top of the harness as well to provide the human interaction of harness input and control. Directly in front of this is a detachable, collapsible water and food bowl.
Follow-up feedback was gathered in a meeting with Officer Chris Kodsi, head of the Blacksburg Police, K-9 Unit. Points reinforced with this meeting were the ideas of what the harness represented on and off the dog and how important the “Play and Praise” factor is in rewarding the dog with vocal and treat rewards. Another important factor addressed was how important the harness is for dogs that are trained so diligently, in that a poorly fitted and adjusted harness can create the misdirected corrections that could potentially confuse the working dog.
When asked, “What are the most important factors that you would look for in a harness pack for your k-9 unit,” Officer Kodsi responded, “light weight as to not wear the dog out, easy to put on, and an appropriate profile for the task at hand”. While K-9 units in Blacksburg are most often used in drug busts and tracking, Kodsi was able to reference how often the harness he used (pictured below) is in the work they do and how it plays into the work dogs responsibilities.
Considerations taken from this meeting include material used (more mesh fabric for breathability, and lighter color choices for the summer months). Another point to arise from the discussion would be to make more molle attachments on the pack to make everything detachable to adjust to certain tasks, as well as being able to strap different attachments on.