The Scoop – our weekly round-up of news in the world of dogs. This week our news desk reports on new tech that might help us understand what our dogs are thinking. And more news in technology as designers try and learn from the genius of dog’s noses. Plus, we share an important message from our friends at HOWND.
Ever wanted to know what your dog is thinking?
Smart wearable tech for dogs isn’t the future – it’s here, now! We all know that GPS trackers have been around for ages and now there’s a gizmo to track our dog’s emotions. The creators of this smart dog collar want to help us understand our dogs’ emotions. Inupathy is a smart dog collar that, when a dog is wearing it, tracks their heart rate. The collar then displays different colours to represent the emotion that the dog is feeling – in real time. So, when it displays a red light, your dog is likely to be excited; a blue light means relaxed – and so on.
It does contain some pretty cool tech – a variable heart rate algorithm nonetheless, and syncs with an app so you can track how your dog’s emotions have changed over time. But we suspect that most dog owners will be able to read their pups emotions without the help of a collar (wagging tail gave it away, huh?). Tell us what you think in the comments below, would you like to see an invention that can tell you what your dog is thinking?
This scientist nose a thing or two
Dog’s noses are literally amazing. That’s not news, strictly speaking, but they do continue to fascinate us. And we’re not alone in that – researchers have been attempting to learn how to create better vapour detectors by using a technique called ‘biomimicry’. What does that mean? Biomimicry is the process of using naturally occurring phenomena to help design manufactured things. Put more simply – it’s taking design inspiration from nature. One real life example of this is Japan’s super-fast, highly streamlined bullet train that took inspiration from a Kingfisher’s long, pointy beak.
The study has provided further proof, if proof were needed, that dog’s noses are really very smart indeed, revealing that as dogs exhale they actually create air streams to push smells towards their noses, sometimes from long distances. The study will result in ‘nostrils’ being added to devices that are used to ‘sniff’ out substances such as explosives, bio-chemicals and even cancer. Dogkind, we salute you and your ingenious noses!
Tissues at the ready
If you haven’t watched this video yet, we’re about to put that right. We shared it earlier in the week when we first spotted it, but it was worth including in the Scoop, too.
Created by our paw pals over at HOWND, makers of dog shampoo, this heartwarming video tells the story of a rescued dog who’s in need of a good bath. A friendship is kindled between a boy and a dog.
HOWND produced the video to throw their support behind a message that’s seriously important, particularly at this time of year; adopt, don’t shop.Sadly, too many dogs are abandoned. Each year, the RSPCA alone rescues thousands of dogs who have been deemed too difficult to continue caring for by their shortsighted owners. That coupled with the ever-more-gruesome revelations about the puppy trade, is a great reason for adopting a dog rather than shopping.
Thanks to HOWND for so brilliantly communicating this important message – a dog is for life! Why not spread this message around by sharing the above video?