Creature Commons: Pet-Tech Edition | Bengaluru
What if AI wasn't just for humans? We know how to design technology for ourselves. But what happens when the user has four legs, a completely different sensory world, and no interest in your touchscreen?
Creature Commons is a 2-day interdisciplinary AI × Hardware hackathon exploring interspecies interaction, Animal-Computer Interaction and Physical AI, with dogs as our users. We're bringing together AI researchers, engineers, hardware hackers, designers, makers, animal behaviour researchers and dog lovers to build technology around the way dogs actually perceive, move, communicate and play.
Can you build 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.
This isn't a hackathon about putting AI on a dog. It's about asking what happens when we stop treating humans as the default user.
What to expect:
- Build with the user (bring your dog on Day 2 to test and iterate), design beyond the touchscreen
- Push the boundaries of Physical AI
- Learn from experts across Animal-Computer Interaction and canine behavior
- Hands-on with workshops on electronics, sensors, CAD & 3D printing, and product design.
- Plus cutting-edge AI tools and credits, hardware equipment & 3D printers, pizza and coffee on the house, and yes: dogs and puppies. 🐕
Whether you're an AI researcher, a hardware tinkerer, a UX designer, an ethologist or just someone who's always wanted to build something for your pet, this is your hackathon.
Creature Commons is a part of Claude Fable Build Day as Track 4.
Hosted by Elseplay and knowshubhangi. Hardware provided by PCB Cupid.
Event Schedule
Day 1 (Saturday, 26 Sep)
9:00 AM - Check-in (Humans-only)
10:00 AM - Welcome & Opening Experience
10:30 AM - Keynote talks on Interspecies AI & Animal-Computer Interaction
11:30 AM - Design Sprint begins
1:30 PM - Lunch
2:30 PM - Lightning Workshops + Build Session I
4:00 PM - Progress Check & Mentor Feedback
5:00 PM - Wrap-up & Day 2 Preview
Day 2 (Sunday, 27 Sep)
9:00 AM - Check-in (Bring your 🐕🦺 dog optional)
10:00 AM - Morning kick-off
10:30 AM - Keynote talks on Physical AI & Pet-Tech
11:30 AM - Lightning Workshops + Build Session II
1:30 PM - Lunch
2:30 PM - Final Design Sprint
4:00 PM - Projects Showcase & Community Demos
5:30 PM - Closing & Networking
FAQs
Do I need to bring a dog?
No.
Bringing your dog on Day 2 is optional
Do I need a hardware or AI background?
No. We bring together AI, engineering, design, and animal behaviour folks
Our workshops will cover the basics
Do I need to come with a team?
No. Come solo, and we'll help you find collaborators.
If you already have a team, great! Invite your friends.
What should I bring?
Yourself and a laptop.
Hardware, 3D printers, and prototyping tools are provided by the hosts.
Can I bring my dog? Is it safe?
Day 2 is dog-friendly for sociable dogs only.
Your dog stays under your supervision at all times.