First up, that’s an obvious click-bait headline, but sadly – that’s the way the internet works. I could’ve made it a bit better by adding, “Listen to your dog, you will be shocked!”
Anyways, let me give you an insight into running a website like this. See, we get a lot of companies that want to get their name on here. Sadly none of them can help sponsor our trip to Mobile World Congress, but I digress. These companies want to get featured here, and some try ways to “connect” their brand with mobile tech. We might get a clothing company producing some infographic about some made-up coat with “wearable tech” or we might hear about a DIY chain trying to tell us about their “connected alarm systems”.
WhatsYapp is described as the world’s most advanced communications system for dogs. It uses smartband technology to analyse a dog’s sounds, movements and activities, resulting in a direct translation to an app on your phone.
Data that comes from the dog itself. The device attaches to your dog’s collar and has an in-built microphone and many features that you’d associate with a smart-watch, which monitors sound, movement, bodily positioning, time and location. The collar connects to both the owner’s smartphone and the local wi-fi in the home.
A selection of unique, discrete low-energy Bluetooth stickers (ibeacons) are supplied with the collar which the owner can stick to key locations in the home, e. g. doors, dog bowls, bed and utility areas to create a pet-smart home.
Yeah, but can it actually translate what my dog is saying when he barks? Err.. not quite. It’s a “predictive behavioural translator”, which means that they can see if your dog needs anything. They tell me that it “lets you know what your dog is thinking”.
Yes, that’s not exactly what my click-bait title led you to believe, but that’s generally how every click-bait article in the world works. Welcome to the internet my friend, it’s a world of disappointment, bullying and one-upmanship. Boom!
Fetch to develop the UK’s first canine translation device
Fetch takes the next major step in consumer technology following the public’s vote for ‘WhatsYapp’- a device that lets you know what your dog is thinking.
Fetch, the online pet store, unveils WhatsYapp as the first concept to be developed in its recently launched Petnology Centre. Designed to help owners build a better understanding of their pet’s needs, WhatsYapp is described as the world’s most advanced communications system for dogs. It uses smartband technology to analyse a dog’s sounds, movements and activities, resulting in a direct translation to an app on your phone.
WhatsYapp is broken down into two distinct areas that combine together to create a predictive behavioural translator for your dog.
Data that comes from the dog itself. The device attaches to your dog’s collar and has an in-built microphone and many features that you’d associate with a smart-watch, which monitors sound, movement, bodily positioning, time and location.
The collar connects to both the owner’s smartphone and the local wi-fi in the home.
A selection of unique, discrete low-energy Bluetooth stickers (ibeacons) are supplied with the collar which the owner can stick to key locations in the home, e. g. doors, dog bowls, bed and utility areas to create a pet-smart home.
Rachel Comerford, Head of Commercial at Fetch commented:
“We’re thrilled that the public voted for WhatsYapp. The team at Fetch is passionate about caring for pets in the best way possible and we’re excited to see how this technology can improve our understanding of our canine friends. We’ll be working closely with tech and engineering experts to develop a WhatsYapp prototype and are excited to get started”
WhatsYapp was voted for by the public who have been selecting their favourite pet technology concepts since the launch of the Petnology centre on the 19th January. WhatsYapp beat two other concepts:
CatQuest: an interactive 3D projection gamestation for cats which can be activated remotely via an app, turning your home into a playground for cats.
PetPounds: uses SmartBand technology to monitor the interaction between children and their pets. By walking, running or playing with pets, children can earn vouchers, days out or time credit on mobile devices. Simply put – the more responsible your child is, the greater the reward.
Fetch invests in its team of innovators
The Petnology Centre has quickly become the place for Fetch’s team to come up with new ideas to help pet owners around the UK. Every member of the team has been encouraged to get involved in generating ideas and they have been coming in thick and fast.
For more details on each concept and to be kept up to date with the development of Whatsyapp please visit: fetch.co.uk/petnology
Got an idea of your own? We’d love to hear from you. Join in the pet tech conversation at:
facebook.com/fetchlovespets
twitter.com/fetchlovespets
