CES 2015 is well underway, and while there’s plenty of toys for two-legged tech enthusiasts, this year has also seen the launch of several products designed especially for furry friends.
If you’re a dog owner wishing you could keep an eye on your canine companion 24/7, several new ‘pet wearables’ are hitting the market to make monitoring your pup easier than ever.
The Motorola Scout 5000
Described as a ‘smartphone for dogs’, Binatone and Motorola’s upcoming Scout 5000 collar-mounted gadget allows anxious pet owners to keep track of their dog through GPS tracking, WiFi connectivity, and a wide-angle video camera that can stream live 720p video directly to your smartphone.
Data collected by the Scout 5000 is processed through the accompanying Hubble smartphone app, so you’ll be able to check in on your pup whenever you need to.
You can also speak directly to your pet through the app – so dog owners can remotely soothe a stressed-out hound or correct bad behaviour - and opt to receive notifications when your dog barks or attempts to go wandering.
The device allows users to set up personalized geo-fencing around their property; in the event Rover makes an escape attempt, the Scout 5000 discourages further roaming by emitting a high-pitched, ultrasonic sound unpleasant to dogs. Pet owners can also use this sound to aid in training their pup.
In addition, the Scout 5000 can shoot night vision video, has up to 8 hours of video storage on the included SD card, and gives owners up to two weeks of battery life from a single charge.
The downside? The device itself isn’t exactly suitable for smaller dogs – you’ll need to attach it to your pet’s collar or harness, and it looks way too big to sit comfortably on a Chihuahua, Pomeranian or Yorkie.
Considering the $200 USD price tag, we’d also be wary of strapping the Scout 5000 to more rambunctious dog breeds and personalities.
PetCube monitor
If attaching tech to your dog is just too much, the PetCube is the pet-lover's equivalent to a baby monitor; place it in the room or area where your dog likes to hang out in your absence, and receive live streaming video straight to your cellphone.
The Cube allows you to communicate with your precious puppy via voice, and also includes a fun built-in laser light, which your dog can chase for extra exercise. The accompanying PetCube app is free for both Android and iOS devices, and even allows proud fur parents to post pics and screenshots straight from the PetCube to Instagram.
Like the Scout 5000, the PetCube will set you back an estimated $199 USD, but the product is available to buy now via PetCube’s website.
The Tagg GPS Plus
If you’re looking for something a little cheaper that will still let you keep an eye on your dog throughout the day, Snaptracker’s Tagg GPS Plus is priced at $99.95 USD (although you’ll need to pay a $10 monthly subscription fee in addition to the purchase cost).
The GPS Plus can monitor your pet’s GPS location and, like the Scout 5000, set physical boundaries for your dog, with alerts being sent to an owner’s smartphone if your pet goes roving.
The device can record your dog’s daily activity levels, and even keeps track of the ambient air temperature around your pup to prevent heat exhaustion. Video monitoring is also available through Alarm.com, with the device providing about 20 days of battery use after recharging on the included docking station.
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