How many times has your TV Remote become a chew toy? I know I’ve lost quite a few to over the years due to a cute little furry friend. So it comes as no surprise that finally after all of these years someone has invented a prototype of the first ever dog TV remote which will allow dogs to control the TV when you leave the room.
Pet food brand, Wagg, has been working with Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, PhD Researcher in Animal Computer Interaction Design at the University of Central Lancashire, to develop the prototype which will allow canines to control the TV for the first time.
According to Ilyena
“Recent research found the average dog now watches more than nine hours of TV a week, showing that technology is already playing a huge part in our pets’ lives.”
The doggie remote prototype can be used in a similar way to a normal TV remote and has been specially designed for dogs with hard-wearing waterproof plastic. It includes: raised surfaces to avoid paw slippage, squeak sounds that omit a lower-intense frequency and a hole to attach a rope toy for your doggie buddy to carry the remote around.
Currently, the prototype is currently being trialled to watch dogs reactions to the buttons, sounds and colors. Depending on the success, Wagg may approach tech companies with putting the model into production.
The prototype design has been commissioned by Wagg to mark the launch of Dogglebox, a one-off spoof specially created for YouTube with a completely canine cast.