This period mirrors Les’ consistent unveiling of groundbreaking pet-related technology. Consider Flappie, an AI-driven cat door presented by a Swiss startup. This state-of-the-art door is crafted to notify you if your cat attempts to bring in prey from the outdoors.
With a motion sensor and night-vision camera on the outer surface, Flappie has amassed a trove of “distinctive and specialized” data by capturing images of different cat breeds and prey under varying lighting conditions. The firm asserts that its AI surveillance system maintains accuracy levels exceeding 90%, thereby minimizing the likelihood of your cat introducing unwanted prey.
Internally, the door features standard controls for locking, unlocking, and deactivating the prey detection mechanism according to your preference. Flappie guarantees that when pets release their prey, the door automatically unlocks for them to enter, assuming they have been trained not to transport anything inside. Nevertheless, Flappie’s co-founder acknowledged that a cunning cat could potentially outsmart the system by dropping the prey, triggering the door, retrieving the prey, and swiftly gaining entry into the house. It appears that imperfections are inevitable.
Chip recognition stands out as another prominent aspect of Flappie’s cat door, enabling you to limit entry solely to your microchipped pet. Furthermore, a mobile application facilitates remote management of the door, although the door can operate independently without internet connectivity.
Flappie intends to inaugurate its flagship stores in Switzerland, Zurich, and Germany this spring before pursuing further expansion. While preparations are underway for a US launch, specifics regarding the timetable and pricing of the Flappie door for the American market remain undisclosed.
Stay updated for real-time coverage from Les 2024 in Las Vegas, where we will be reporting from January 6 to 12, delivering the latest highlights from the event.
