The First Television Remote Control for Dogs
Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García
It’s here! The first television remote control for dogs is finally about to make its way onto the market. For a long time, popular belief was that animals were unable to distinguish between the images that technological devices emit. But, thanks to advances in scientific studies, this concept has radically changed.
Technology enters the animal kingdom
Technological advances don’t just change the lives of human beings. They change the lives of the animals that keep us company as well. The arrival of the television has affected almost everyone. And these devices have transformed the dynamic among family members… including our pets.
Several scientists from the University of Central Lancashire have developed the first television remote control for dogs. The invention promises to make television use in our homes more democratic. But how exactly does this remote control for dogs work?
Can dogs watch television?
Without the need for scientific research, many dog owners affirm that their dogs watch TV and enjoy the experience. But, what does science have to say on the subject?
In animals, the ocular system and the ability to see work differently than in humans. This means that animals see television in a very different way.
Cats and dogs can perceive a greater amount of synchronized movements much faster and with more richness of detail. Human vision is slower and less able to capture detail.
Clearing up common myths regarding canine vision
- Dogs can see in color, but don’t distinguish as much variety as humans when it comes to different tones.
- It’s true that dogs can see better in the dark than human beings. This is because their pupils can dilate more and absorb more light, improving their night vision.
- It’s also true that a dog’s visual field is different than that of a human being. While their peripheral vision is much better, they have blurry vision when it comes to objects less than 12 inches away from their eyes.
Television and movement
What TV does, basically, is to “trick” the human eye. To do so, television creates movement by transmitting one image after the other at a very rapid speed. Our eyes and our brains then believe they are seeing something continuous. However, the truth is that we are actually viewing a succession of consecutive parts.
In order to create the sensation of movement for human eyes, images must appear at a speed of 40hz (images per second). When it comes to animals, however, images must appear at a speed of at least 75hz in order for them to “make sense” of what they are watching.
In the past, standard television sets transmitted images at a speed of 50hz. Of course, this made it unlikely for dogs to find any interest in watching. However, modern TVs reach a speed of up to 100hz, meaning that watching television can be quite entertaining for pets.
Other aspects
Logically, the TV must be located in a position that makes viewing comfortable for your dog. This means to ensure that they can watch without injury or neck pain. Ideally, the TV should be sitting at eye level for your pet.
Furthermore, programming should spark your dog’s interest. This means displaying elements that belong to the animal’s environment and which they can make sense of. Programming based on verbal communication or daily situations in human life is unlikely to hold your dog’s attention for very long.
With this in mind, there is already content available made exclusively for dogs. DogTV is based out of California, and its programs aim to make dogs happier and more relaxed.
How does the first remote control for dogs work?
Researchers at the University of Central Lancashire based their creation on their research. They discovered that when dogs find programming that interests them, they can watch up to 9 hours of television. What’s more, they prefer to watch other dogs, as well as activities that are common for their species.
When creating a remote control for dogs, the experts also aimed to promote the independence of dogs in relation to their owners. What’s more, they aimed to improve the relationship between animals and smart devices. Therefore, the remote controls have extra-large buttons, allowing dogs to change channels using their paws.
The controls are wireless and long-distance, protecting your pet’s vision, as well as the integrity of the technological device.
This invention contributes greatly to giving pets an active life without having to depend on their owner’s availability. For now, the remote control is still in the prototype stage. However, there seems to be an international pet brand that is interested in marketing the device.
Source of image: www.europafm.com
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.