Dog collar tells pet’s emotions through colors

INUPATHY helps pet owners tell what their dogs are feeling through different light signals that represent different emotions.  Image INUPATHY

Sometimes it’s easy to tell when a dog’s hungry or just want to goof around. But there are times when food, their favorite toy or even a scratch in their favorite spot behind the ear only elicits a blank stare and panting. For those moments, maybe this doggie collar can help owners understand their pooch’s mood swings.

A product developed by a Japanese biologist, INUPATHY is a collar that changes color based on a dog’s current mood. Co-creator Joji Yamaguchi states that the inspiration for INUPATHY came from his desire to better understand his dog’s emotions.

INUPATHY is a combination of the word “inu” (dog in Japanese) and empathy. It works by measuring a dog’s heart rate through Heart Rate Variation Analysis. Through an algorithm, the system will be able to approximate the dog’s current emotion based on recorded patterns.

It’s certainly an innovative proposition for dog lovers who have dreamed of learning more about their beloved companions apart from deciphering whines and wagging tails.

The INUPATHY system also allows users to record readings from the activities that they engage in with their pets through “Play mode.” This will help them find out what activities the dog enjoys more on a smartphone using the dedicated app. Users will also have cloud access to keep track of activities as well as connect with other INUPATHY users and their pets.

For interested dog owners, updates can be garnered from INUPATHY’s Facebook account as well as their official website. Alfred Bayle