Smart pet tech company Fi’s new AI collar allows dog owners to monitor their pooch’s movements, health, and habits via their Apple Watch. The Fi Series 3 Plus launched on Monday with new behaviour detection features, Apple Watch app integration, and improved GPS tracking compared to its predecessor.
Fi says the Series 3 Plus can capture “meaningful changes in a dog’s behavior” with 80 percent accuracy. In addition to steps and sleep tracking, the new collar monitors for barking, licking, scratching, eating, and drinking habits to flag any trends and irregularities over time. The aim is to help users to be more proactive about potentially concerning changes in their dog’s health, but it’s worth noting that there are reports about smart wearables providing more anxiety than peace of mind.
The GPS tracking signal sensitivity has been doubled compared to the previous model to provide more accurate location tracking, according to Fi. The companion app that allows owners to monitor their pets’ location and activity is now available on Apple Watch with all the same “interactivity and intelligence” features of the mobile version. A new AI-powered document analysis feature has also been added to the app that can pull health information from vet records, bills, or insurance documents.
The Series 3 Plus collar otherwise carries over some familiar features from previous models. Fi says it carries a “fully waterproof” IP68 rating tested in up to 50 meters of salt water, a rechargeable battery that lasts three months on a single charge, and a built-in light for nighttime visibility. The collar comes in five sizes and four colors: yellow, blue, pink, or gray. Pricing is inclusive of the app features and subscription-based, starting at $14 per month with no additional cost for the collar hardware.
