In Short:
Humans have long tried to communicate with animals. A new tech company, Personifi AI, created a voice-activated collar called Shazam to help pets “talk.” It uses a microphone and speaker to give the illusion that pets can respond in English. Starting at $495, the collar requires yearly subscriptions for advanced features. It was inspired by the founder’s dog’s near-death experience.
The pursuit of communication with animals has been a longstanding endeavor for humans. In recent years, advancements in technology have provided innovative means of attempting to bridge this gap. This includes the use of devices such as talking buttons for dogs and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance our understanding of marine life like whales.
Introducing a New Era of Communication
The latest innovation in human-animal interaction is a voice-activated collar designed to enable pets to “speak” back to their owners, at least in concept. This device is the brainchild of John McHale, a self-described tech enthusiast based in Austin, Texas, who founded the startup Personifi AI. The company’s mission, as the name suggests, is to create technology that will “personify everything,” with pets being the current focus.
How It Works
The collar features a speaker that responds to the owner’s voice with pre-recorded human replies, simulating a conversation and giving the impression that the pet possesses human-like communication abilities. While the product is currently available only for cats and dogs, McHale envisions expanding its applications to wearable technology for other animals and, eventually, humans.
Inspiration Behind the Product
The inception of the talking collar stemmed from a traumatic incident involving McHale’s dog, Roscoe, who was bitten by a rattlesnake. Initially unaware of the seriousness of the situation, McHale only recognized something was wrong hours later when Roscoe exhibited severe symptoms. Thankfully, Roscoe recovered after a lengthy hospital stay. This experience led McHale to contemplate how different the outcome might have been had Roscoe been able to communicate his condition. Thus, the concept of Shazam was born.
Product Specifications
The Shazam collar, despite its name having no affiliation with either superhero films or the popular music discovery app, is equipped with both a microphone and a voice box. It allows the collar to capture the owner’s voice and respond accordingly, creating the illusion of an interactive dialogue with the pet, while effectively functioning as a chatbot.
Cost and Subscription Model
However, this advanced communication tool comes at a premium price, starting at $495 for cats and $595 for dogs. In addition, there are annual subscription fees: $195 for the standard collar and $295 for the “BrainBoost” service, which incorporates advanced features that enhance the collar’s ability to exhibit traits such as empathy and reasoning. The first year of subscription fee is waived, but automatic renewal is implemented thereafter. Without the BrainBoost subscription, the collar defaults to a basic voice, diminishing its interactive capabilities.
