Have you seen my drone?
Move over Rover, there’s a new favorite pet flying over.
Move over Rover, there’s a new favorite pet flying over.
After seeing this poster, I popped by a SmartPetsmart to check out one of these pet-walkers for myself. I only had a few minutes to spare as my janky time machine needed to get back to today for a much-needed recharge. This is what I gathered after chatting up a couple of people at the temporally local SmartPetsmart.
Pet-walking drones are autonomous robots designed to walk a pet, usually dogs. These drones are equipped with sensors, cameras, and other technology that allow them to navigate through various environments, follow a predetermined route, receive remote commands and the like. Some pet-walking drones have features such as multi-leash attachments and treat dispensers to provide additional stimulation and training dogs. These drones are a relatively new technology when I am now, and are widely available despite not being fully tested for their effectiveness and safety.
This can be particularly useful for people who have disabilities or mobility issues that make it difficult for them to physically walk their pets. Also helpful for people who have busy schedules or who live in apartment buildings where taking the pet out for a walk is not always convenient.
Pet-walking drones can also provide additional exercise for pets. These things can help to ensure that pets get the zoomies they need, even if their owners are unable to provide it.
On the flipside there is a risk of both the drone and the pet going missing. Drones can malfunction or get lost.
While drones are generally considered to be safe, there is always a risk of accidents or injuries, especially if the drone malfunctions. Additionally, some people may be worried about the impact that the drones may have on their pets’ behavior if drones are used as a replacement for human interaction.
Some people may also be concerned about the impact of pet-walking drones on the job market for dog walkers. While drones may be able to provide some of the same services as human dog walkers, they are not yet able to provide the same level of care or attention that a human can.
One trend that has emerged in response to the availability of pet-walking drones is people buying less expensive animals in order to mitigate the risk of losing a costly pure-bred. As a result, they may be more likely to adopt a less expensive mutt from a shelter.
The increase in the number of pets being adopted rather than purchased from breeders is a good thing. This helps to reduce strain on animal shelters and provides more homes for pets in need.
However, this trend may also have ugly consequences. Some people may be more likely to care less about the well-being of cheaper pets, as their attention is focused on finding a vastly more expensive pet-walking drone if it goes missing.
Something to think about if these things start hitting the shelves in one of our futures.