Creature Commons: Pet-Tech Edition
What if AI wasn't just for humans? When the user has four legs and zero interest in your touchscreen.
Creature Commons: Pet-Tech Edition is a 2-day interdisciplinary AI × Hardware hackathon exploring interspecies interaction, Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI), and Physical AI — with dogs as the primary users. Hosted by Elseplay HQ in Bengaluru as Track 4 of Claude Fable Build Day, the hackathon brings together AI researchers, hardware hackers, interaction designers, roboticists, animal behaviourists, and dog lovers to invent technology centered around canine sensory perception, kinetics, communication, and play.
Instead of merely strapping conventional human gadgets onto animals, Creature Commons questions human-default design paradigms: what happens when interfaces are driven by paws, snouts, bite-force, scent, and body language rather than glass touchscreens?
Event Information
When Sat Sep 26, 9:00 AM – Sun Sep 27, 8:00 PM (GMT+5:30)
Where Bengaluru, India
Theme Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI), Physical AI & Pet-Tech
Offers Cutting-edge AI credits, microcontrollers & sensor modules, 3D printers & fab tools, technical masterclasses, industry mentors, food & coffee, plus live canine testing partners!
Schedule
Day 1 (Saturday, 26 Sep) — Humans Only
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 09:00 AM | Check-in (Humans-only) |
| 10:00 AM | Welcome & Opening Experience |
| 10:30 AM | Keynotes: Interspecies AI & Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) |
| 11:30 AM | Design Sprint begins |
| 01:30 PM | Lunch |
| 02:30 PM | Lightning Workshops + Build Session I |
| 04:00 PM | Progress Check & Mentor Feedback |
| 05:00 PM | Wrap-up & Day 2 Preview |
Day 2 (Sunday, 27 Sep) — Dogs Welcome! 🐕🦺
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 09:00 AM | Check-in (Bring your dog — optional) |
| 10:00 AM | Morning Kick-off |
| 10:30 AM | Keynotes: Physical AI & Pet-Tech |
| 11:30 AM | Lightning Workshops + Build Session II |
| 01:30 PM | Lunch |
| 02:30 PM | Final Design Sprint |
| 04:00 PM | Projects Showcase & Community Demos |
| 05:30 PM | Closing & Networking (Ends at 8:00 PM) |
What to Expect
- Build with the user: Bring your dog on Day 2 to test and iterate, and design beyond the touchscreen.
- Physical AI: Push the boundaries of Physical AI.
- Learn from experts: Learn from experts across Animal-Computer Interaction and canine behavior.
- Hands-on workshops: Workshops on electronics, sensors, CAD & 3D printing, and product design.
- Perks & tools: Cutting-edge AI tools and credits, hardware equipment & 3D printers, pizza and coffee on the house, and dogs and puppies on site. 🐕
Build Prompts
- A co-op game you play with your dog
- A wearable activated by a nose, paw, tug, or bite
- A robot that responds to canine behaviour
- A system that lets a dog communicate with its human
- Home automation a service dog can operate
- Or something we haven't thought of yet