Tractive has introduced two innovative smart collars equipped with GPS tracking, AI-driven health monitoring, and various other technological features. Given that pets cannot communicate their well-being or location to us, Tractive, a tech company based in Austria and Seattle specializing in developing GPS tracking devices for pets, has unveiled two new smart collars that are set to revolutionize pet care for countless families.
If your pet is exhibiting signs of stress, abnormal breathing patterns, or excessive scratching, the Cat 6 Mini ($79) and Dog 6 XL ($89) collars are tailored to monitor these behaviors similar to the health-tracking functionalities commonly found in smartwatches. These collars are designed to track such activities and relay any concerns to assist in preserving the quality of life for your dog or cat, as stated by the company.
Michael Hurnaus, the CEO and founder of Tractive, emphasized the significance of the technology by saying, “Pets may not verbally communicate when they are unwell, but their physical responses can convey vital information. With state-of-the-art sensors embedded in each tracker, insights gained from millions of pets, and AI-driven analytics, we aim to transform one of the most extensive pet data platforms globally into easily understandable information. This will enable pet owners to take prompt action and provide even better care.”
Historically, tracking collars have primarily targeted dogs as their main audience. However, Tractive’s new Cat 6 Mini collar seeks to extend this service to cater to your beloved feline companion. This collar enables you to monitor your cat’s respiratory and resting heart rates while promptly identifying any potential health issues. The anticipated release date for this product is May 31st.
The Dog 6 XL collar represents an advancement from the company’s previous dog wearable devices and is specifically designed for dogs weighing over 55 pounds. It boasts enhanced durability for outdoor use and offers up to four weeks of battery life between charges. Additionally, it features a scratch-monitoring system that alerts you to abnormal scratching behavior stemming from allergies, skin irritations, or other stress factors.
Through the accompanying app, you can access information on your pet’s movements and define safe zones for walks as well as entry and exit points. Moreover, an AI-powered health center displays comprehensive health statistics for your pet while serving as a GPS locator in case your dog or cat goes missing.
A spokesperson from Tractive informed CNET that veterinarians are particularly interested in baseline resting heart and respiratory rates. The focus lies less on real-time monitoring during recovery or acute care but more on detecting variations in these vital signs on a day-to-day basis to identify new conditions or manage existing ones effectively.
While these collars utilize a SIM card and necessitate a strong cellular connection for optimal functionality, they can still record activity levels, sleep patterns, and health data even when offline. Nevertheless, without connectivity, the devices will not offer any practical use confirmed by the representative.
To make full use of these features, users must download the dedicated app and subscribe to a separate plan at an additional cost. The subscription options include a one-year plan for $120, a two-year plan priced at $168, and a five-year plan available for $300.