PET CARE: ASK THE EXPERTS WITH CODY
soundboards may allow pets to communicate about their wants, needs, and the world around them in new and unique ways, and we are interested in learning more about how Augmentative Interspecies Communication (AIC) tools could strengthen the bond between pets and their humans." By exploring these communication pathways, researchers hope to gain a deeper understanding of animal cognition and improve the overall well-being of pets.
Purina's investment in this field isn't new. In 2022, Purina awarded FluentPet, a San Diego-based startup that develops sound-button technology, the grand prize in their Pet Care Innovation Prize competition. FluentPet's work combines cognitive science with practical tools that enable pets and humans to "talk" to each other. This aligns with Purina's larger mission of using science and innovation to improve pet care.
This partnership with the UC San Diego Comparative Cognition Lab could have far-reaching implications. Beyond giving pets a "voice," it could pave the way for more citizen science studies, where pet owners worldwide contribute to data collection by training their dogs to use soundboards at home. The hope is that this research will lead to insights that improve pet care, health, and happiness on a global scale.
For dog lovers, the idea that pets could soon be having conversations with their owners is as thrilling as it is groundbreaking.
"This partnership .... Cognition Lab could have far-reaching implications. Beyond giving pets a "voice," it could pave the way for more citizen science studies, ..."