Las Vegas, NV — In a remarkable showcase of innovation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, pets are the unlikely beneficiaries of cutting-edge technology. Despite lacking smartphones or online access, these pets are now connected to a slew of animal-oriented gadgets, offering owners unprecedented insights into their furry friends’ well-being.
Smart Collars Revolutionize Pet Monitoring
Leading the pack is the Smart Dog Collar, a creation by French GPS specialist Invoxia. This collar not only enables real-time location tracking of pets but also monitors their activity levels, including heart rate and barking behavior. Invoxia has expanded its offerings with a mini version named Minitailz, catering even to cats. Minitailz, powered by generative AI, records health data and can detect atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, in animals. It goes beyond conventional tracking, identifying activities like scratching, eating, and even signs of stress in pets.
Australian startup Ilume presents the Tracker collar, providing pet owners with information about their dog‘s activities, including steps taken, through a smartphone app. Ilume also introduces a Smart Bowl that calculates ideal food portions based on the pet’s age, weight, and activity level. With the pet products market expected to surge in the coming years, these innovations respond to the needs of the 66 percent of U.S. households with at least one pet, as reported by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
Revolutionizing Litter Box Technology
In addition to enhancing pet well-being, CES 2024 introduces innovations benefiting pet owners. The Whiskers litter box automates the cleaning process by sifting litter into a bin, eliminating the need for manual scooping. An accompanying app notifies owners when the litter drawer requires attention. Pawbby, another contender in the litter box tech space, not only self-cleans but also monitors a cat’s bathroom habits, including frequency and weight, offering valuable insights into the pet’s health.
The creator of Pawbby, Chinese engineer Allen Wu, shared that the device was inspired by a personal experience. Wu realized that detecting his cat’s illness earlier would have been possible had he observed changes in its bathroom habits. These advancements not only demonstrate a commitment to pet well-being but also contribute to the health and happiness of pet owners, aligning with scientific studies suggesting that pet ownership leads to improved overall health and a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
