Artificial Intelligence has created another new innovation – a smart device called “Companion” that serves as an all-in-one nanny/tutor for your dog, stimulating and entertaining your pet while you are away.
Why it was created:Companion was created simply because Americans adore their pets and will spend a heap to make those furs happy.
Why You Need Companion Again
According to the company, you need to get the Companion for your dog because the stationary device has the ability to provide all-day scheduled and on-demand engagement for your dog with games, behavioral programs, and training.
It also monitors your dog’s health, looking for “sudden or subtle shifts in your dog’s movement or posture that can indicate pain, anxiety or stress.”
How it works
According to the company, Companion uses “AI hardware, machine learning, and best-in-class positive reinforcement techniques.”
For instance, by playing commands like “sit” using an owner’s voice, the Companion teaches the dog obedience — while noticing any physical changes that might signal disease.
Also, John Honchariw, the CEO and founder of Companion, has these to say:
- “There’s this weird asymmetry between human children and pet children,” he said. “We don’t leave our human children alone, but we do leave our fur children alone, and people are anxious about that.”
- “We want to be able to give our kids, like whether it’s a toddler, really good educational content. We also want to give our dog something really enriching — and even better if it helps us have better communication with it.”
History of the AI Babysitter for Dogs
Companion was said to have been developed by an engineer who simply wanted a companion for his rescue dog.
- “He loves it, and it’s his all-day play buddy,” he said. “He eats 100% of his dog food through the device, so for him, it’s like the world’s most advanced food puzzle.”
- “And it really helped me because I know he’s doing things and having fun at the same time and learning all the basic obedience commands,” he says.
Company Also Has A Company
According to Companion, it raised $14 million, with backers that include Lerer Hippeau and Digitalis Ventures, and its advisory board includes veterinarians who specialize in dog training and the human-animal bond.
