Whether you’re running a small errand or traveling across the country, you know how unsettling it can be to worry about your dog’s safety, it’s just like not being able to withdraw you winnings at the new casinos. The threats are real, ranging from unexpected stops to dog theft. Here are four safety technologies to think about before your next trip with your dog.
- Smart Glass
Smart glass is new technology that lets you customize and adjust the tint of your windows. Looking for an inspection sticker? Turn it down. Leaving your dog in the car for a few minutes to run an errand? Turn the setting all the way up to opaque.
While smart glass will not prevent your dog from barking at other dogs passing by, it does have advantages beyond rendering the inside of your car invisible.
Smart glass can keep cars cooler in direct sunshine, provide quick defrosting, and may eventually contain photovoltaic cells that can power your electrical system as much your bike, according to motorbikefans.com. It’s easy to envision a scenario in which this is the new norm for automotive glass.
- Window & Child Safety Locks
While these features are not new, it’s easy to overlook their importance in keeping dogs safe.
Window locks might help keep your dog from accidently opening or closing the window. Though windows should retract automatically to keep them from squishing their heads or paws, Tesla’s recent window glitch reminds us that technology does not always work as expected.
Child safety locks are another type of technology designed for children that can also be used to protect dogs. Though it is improbable that your dog will open a car door, it is a simple precaution that could save a life.
- Live Dog-Cams
Anxiety sets in when you’re waiting in line at the store: What if your dog eats the chocolate cupcakes in the back seat? You imagine how lovely it would be to be able to observe your animal pet in real time.
Tesla’s Sentry Mode will sound an alarm if it detects someone attempting to break into your vehicle, but it will not warn you if your dog is going to swallow anything potentially harmful.
While factory-installed dash cameras are becoming more frequent in luxury vehicles, aftermarket vendors continue to dominate the interior camera industry.
OEMs may eventually catch up and turn the camera’s sight inside to provide cabin monitoring. This technology would be popular among dog owners and parents who install backseat cameras like Itomoro’s Mirror Crystal to monitor their children without having to turn around.
Until then, there are numerous canine wearables available that allow you to monitor your dog’s health and activity. With applications that make dog parenting easier, you’ll be doing your best for your pet.
- Rear Seat Reminders
Every summer, we hear terrible stories about children left inside cars on hot days. Manufacturers are attempting to prevent these catastrophes with rear-seat warnings. Although back seat reminders were originally developed for humans, they can also save canine lives.
Automotive reminder mechanisms differ by manufacturer, although the majority rely on door sequencing. For example, if the driver’s door and one of the rear doors are opened, the vehicle assumes someone is in the back seat.
The car waits to see if the driver opens the back doors once again after stopping the ignition when they reach their location. If they don’t, it assumes they’ve left valuable cargo behind and informs them with a succession of sounds, lights, and occasionally phone notifications.
Other rear-seat reminders are more advanced. For example, Hyundai’s Rear Occupant Alert system detects movements inside the vehicle using ultrasonic sensors. The main disadvantage to this type of technology is that it can be triggered by something you don’t want to save, such as a fly.
