PetPace, a leading pet health monitoring company, has successfully completed the development of its smart collar and is gearing up for mass production. The company anticipates selling tens of thousands of collars in 2024, with an initial manufacturing order of 10,000 units placed with Nistec, a leading manufacturing group.
TechTime Electronics and Technology News translated to English // November 9, 2023
The production will take place at Nistec’s facility in Ma’alot, including the assembly of the electronic circuit, electrical testing, and mechanical assembly of the strap to achieve the final product. Nistec has implemented specialized manufacturing processes, including laser welding and the use of unique materials and adhesives, to meet the stringent environmental conditions required for a continuously worn pet product.
The smart collar, designed for continuous monitoring of a pet’s health and location, transmits data through cellular and Wi-Fi networks. PetPace’s President and General Manager, Lior Abraham, emphasized the significance of the product, stating:
“Pets, like cats and dogs, instinctively hide weakness, pain, and illnesses. The smart collar allows for the identification of symptoms that require attention.”
Founded in 2012 by Avner Schneur, Avi Menkes, and Dr. Asaf Dagan, PetPace currently employs around 20 people. The collar continuously tracks physiological metrics such as pulse, respiration, temperature, heart rate variability (HRV), activity level, and posture (using acceleration sensors). It is connected to a mobile app and an online interface via Wi-Fi and eSim, and it includes a GPS module for locating pets indoors or outdoors in case they go missing. Weighing only 45 grams, the collar operates continuously for 40 days between battery charges.
Next Stage: Early Disease Detection
Lior Abraham revealed that the company is now working on overcoming unexpected challenges, stating:
“The main challenge is accurately capturing and interpreting physiological metrics, especially in animals with fur or without. For example, measuring the temperature of a furry or hairless pet. We addressed this issue through a patented solution that allows us to compare different metrics and determine whether there is an increase or decrease in temperature. The detection of pain, discomfort, or diseases presents another unique challenge, where artificial intelligence comes into play. We developed models that can identify conditions such as epilepsy, heatstroke, and have plans for detecting other diseases, including cancer.”
The company is currently in the initial sales phase of the second-generation product in the United States, with plans to expand to Canada and Europe. Abraham added,
“We already have existing orders, and according to our projections, we will reach sales of several tens of thousands of units by 2024.”