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Personifi AI is attempting to change the way you interact with man’s best friend. The Austin, Texas-based company’s Shazam Band, an AI-powered dog collar, is a wearable device that literally gives your dog a voice.

According to the company, the latest technology at the core of the product is called Sentience Augmentation. The tech uses both sensors and machine learning to decipher your pooch’s reasoning, psychological state, and health needs. It also allows your pet to interpret your emotional state and respond appropriately.

John McHale, CEO of Personifi AI, says, "The Shazam Band is a game-changer for the bond we share with our pets. We’ve always imagined what our pets would say if they could speak — well, imagine no more. Shazam makes that dream a reality, bringing joy, empathy, and understanding into every interaction."

The Shazam Band is an interesting device powered by a highly trained AI. With it, come visions of Dug from the movie Up, or MCU fan-favorite, Cosmo the Dog. Unlike those fictional characters, though, Personifi AI’s dog collar is 100% real.

More fascinating, however, is the collar’s feature set. It offers 27 built-in selectable personas, ranging from hard-boiled mafia boss to snarky southern belle. Plus, the Shazam Band lets your pet express themselves in several languages, including English, Spanish, Patois, and Mandarin. The device also functions as a GPS tracker and includes geofencing support. That means you won't need to worry about whether you should put an AirTag on your dog's collar.

So, what if you’re more of a cat person? Don’t worry. As long as it fits, you can also use Personifi AI’s collar with other animals. The device comes in two sizes.

The Shazam Band’s Sentience Augmentation system is also exceptionally advanced. Through the technology, your furry companion can express their feelings through a number of sound bites. So, if you’ve ever wondered if your dog was feeling sad or bored, now you can know for sure. Supposedly, the more you communicate with your beloved pet via the collar, the more natural interactions will become.
Does the Collar Actually Work?

That’s a fantastic question. And while we haven’t gotten our hands on the device just yet, a few other publications have reported that, yes, it works. CEO McHale has even been training the Shazam Band’s AI with his pup, Roscoe.

The rub, however, is that the AI device is not cheap. The wearable has a retail price of $495 or $595 depending on the size you need. To access additional voices, you’ll need to shell out another $100 per. Then there’s the $295 annual subscription fee.

It’s a lot of cash to justify a gadget that hangs on your dog’s neck. But, if you’re someone who longs to know what your pooch is really thinking, then that expense might seem worth it. On the other hand, if the cost seems excessive, you may want to check out our write-up on some other DIY pet wearables. Either way, the notion that this technology may lead to a new era of pet communication is definitely something to get excited about.

Dr_Phibes wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 8:14 am Only Sherlock Holmes could solve these mysteries

- scratching at the back door? hmm

- sitting by an empty food/water bowl, glaring? not a clue

Roux wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:30 pm Sure, I would definitely pay that amount, if this could actually translate from human to dog and from dog to human, and it was the actual thoughts of my dogs, and not mere AI.

88BuckeyeGrad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 2:34 pm

Roux wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:30 pm Sure, I would definitely pay that amount, if this could actually translate from human to dog and from dog to human, and it was the actual thoughts of my dogs, and not mere AI.

What do you think would happen if you put that collar on a politician?

88BuckeyeGrad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 2:34 pm What do you think would happen if you put that collar on a politician?

mvscal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:11 am Cats and dogs already communicate clearly with their owners.

mvscal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:11 am Cats and dogs already communicate clearly with their owners.

88BuckeyeGrad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 2:34 pm
What do you think would happen if you put that collar on a politician?

mvscal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:11 am Cats and dogs already communicate clearly with their owners.

Mikey wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 8:37 pm

mvscal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:11 am Cats and dogs already communicate clearly with their owners.

mvscal's cat clearly communicating clearly with him.

Python wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2024 10:29 pm I used to talk to Hedges all the time. Didn’t need no stinkin’ collar.

Smackie Chan wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 1:45 am

Python wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2024 10:29 pm I used to talk to Hedges all the time. Didn’t need no stinkin’ collar.

Willie & I have deep philosophical conversations, although I do find him to be a bit too dogmatic at times.

Python wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2024 10:29 pm I used to talk to Hedges all the time. Didn’t need no stinkin’ collar.