free stitch Interviewed Some Pet Camera Companies
The Dog-Friendly Office Project is taking on various initiatives to increase the number of pet-friendly work environments; however, Japan still faces an uphill battle when it comes to the acceptance of pets in the workplace.
As getting wider approval for the Dog-Friendly Office system may still be a way off for many companies, free stitch decided to focus on ways to reduce our pets’ stress when they are left at home. Pet cameras are one of these ways in which we can monitor our pets’ stress and take action in the case of emergencies.
We were fortunate enough to have been able to interview a few prominent pet camera companies to get their feedback on their devices and hopefully grant some more insight into how cameras can help reduce anxiety.
▼ Furbo Tomofun Co.
Q. What is the development background behind the camera?
A. Our head office is located in Taiwan and our president has a poodle, so we decided to develop this product because we felt that they were enduring a considerable amount of anxiety when their dog was left at home alone. We consulted various dog trainers and veterinarians in the USA during the development cycle on how we could reduce the stress on dogs when owners are away from home. On our device, yellow and blue lights light up when the camera is being accessed by the owner remotely - we chose these colors because they are easy for dogs to recognize. We have also made the camera from materials that are safe for dogs to lick.
Q. What are the benefits for pets and owners as a result of using pet cameras? What kind of feedback have you received?
A. Some owners say that by receiving notifications about their dog's activities on the app, they can talk to their pets and give them treats, this, in turn, has reduced problematic behavior caused by anxiety. It also helps owners feel as if they are there for their dogs even when they are apart. Users have also commented that the ‘Emergency Home Notification’ has helped them to respond quickly to any issues in their homes.
Q. How can owners get the maximum use out of the device?
A. Since our system is equipped with an AI, the device will judge whether the dog is howling, crying, or experiencing other negative feelings, and it will send a notification to the app. The AI then determines how the dog is feeling and recommends training, such as giving treats or talking to the dog.
▼ HD Pet Camera Panasonic Corporation
Q. What is the development background behind the camera?
A. Originally, we released a home security network system. However, over time we decided to specialize in the pet and baby market, which led to the creation of the pet camera. Its main features include high image quality, automatic tracking, and a patented 'fall prevention structure'.
Q.What are the benefits for pets and owners as a result of using pet cameras? What kind of feedback have you received?
A. As expected, the 'Fall Prevention Function' has been well received. Even if a dog or cat bumps into it, the device will not fall over. The room temperature display function also seems to be an important point for managing pets’ physical conditions. We have also received a lot of positive feedback about the 'Behaviour Log' feature, which allows owners to check the history of their dogs’ behavior by analyzing the places in the home they spend a lot of time in.
Q. How can owners get the maximum use out of the device?
A. As a basic function, owners can watch over their dogs on their smartphones, as well as take photos and videos of their pets through the camera. The photos are stored on the smartphone app and can be easily uploaded to SNS. Videos can also be stored on an SD card in the device itself if one is inserted. The 'Action Log' function allows users to log the number of times their pets drink water or use the toilet, so this is a useful feature for health checks.
▼ YupiBo Jupiter Co.
Q. What is the development background behind the camera?
A. We are a company with expertise in video, microwave, and wireless communication technology. We started a new robotics business in this field and as part of this new venture we developed ‘YupiBo’. YupiBo is a robotic technology that uses microwaves to detect its surroundings to record clear images.
Q. What are the benefits for pets and owners as a result of using pet cameras? What kind of feedback have you received?
A. YupiBo is categorized as more of a 'guardian camera' than a dedicated pet camera because it can be used for a wide range of applications. For example, it can be used for security purposes while you are sleeping, to check in on your dog while you are at work, or to watch over your children after school. It can also be used in the home of elderly parents so even if they live separately from their children, they can keep an eye on their daily activities from anywhere and at any time; plus it also has the function to talk using the videophone function. We have received positive feedback on the fact that there is no monthly subscription required to use the product.
Q. We noticed that the camera has a monitor attached to it. Is it possible to add a feature so pets can see their owner’s face to help them feel more reassured?
A. Currently, to display images on the monitor, the receiving party needs to accept the broadcast, but it is technically possible to add a feature to display images without having to manually accept them in the future.
In our next post, free stitch staff members will give user feedback on the three types of cameras mentioned in this article, along with three other new pet cameras.
For more information on the Dog-friendly Office Project and our current activities, please click here.
Please also check out the Dog-Friendly Office Project SNS!
