PupPod is a smart dog toy that trains and entertains

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Man’s best friend is smart. His toys, not so much… until now. 

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For dog owners, do you ever wonder what your pup does when you’re away? Or maybe you do know because you’ve had the experience of coming home to destroyed furniture, garbage strewn on the floor, and… an anxious dog. This destructive behavior has been attributed to separation anxiety in dogs, so what can you do to keep your best friend from feeling lonely? Canine owner and software designer Erick Eidus has a solution.

Meet PupPod, an interactive, self-learning pet toy that helps reduce boredom, anxiety and destructive behavior in dogs, while also helping them learn new skills when you’re out for the day. Eidus had conceived the idea after he started thinking of games from a dog’s perspective and how pet parents could better understand their pet, check in on them and even interact with them when at work. He brought this idea to an Arduino meet-up, and it materialized in just 48 hours. After testing over 250 dogs across five prototypes, the Maker and his team are now ready to make PupPod available to a community of pilot users.

PupPod is a smart platform that is wirelessly connected to a treat dispenser, video camera and an accompanying mobile app. The unit offers a new use of the operant conditioning method by having your dog play multi-level games and earn treat rewards. You can stream live video, make decisions in the game, trigger treats remotely and record videos. You can also review your dog’s progress, monitor and set limits to treat/food rewards, as well as understand what they’re learning all through your own doggy dashboard. Aside from that, the gives you access to a growing PupPod community and a leaderboard so you can compare your four-legged companion to your friends or other dogs of similar age and breed.

Built around the LightBlue Bean (ATmega328P), the PupPod is comprised of three components: an incredibly tough and durable Kong Wobbler to house the toy; a PupPod Hub which includes a 720p HD camera, Bluetooth integration and a RaspberryPi B+ to send data and video to the PupCloud; and a treat dispenser. The platform employs a motion sensor to detect when your dog comes near and emits sounds from an internal speaker to get your dog’s attention. The toy communicates with the PupPod Hub over Wi-Fi and uses an accelerometer to sense motion when it’s touched.

Eidus and his team have just wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign, and hope to get the first batch of toys out come February. Interested in one of your own? Check out PupPod’s official page here.

30 smart crowdfunding campaigns you may want to back this week

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Every Friday, we’re taking a look at some of the smartest, most innovative projects that caught our attention on Kickstarter and Indiegogo over the last seven days. 

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Trident

This underwater drone can swim and maneuver its way through the water in dolphin-like fashion. OpenROV has already well surpassed its goal of $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Dobot

This affordable, Arduino-powered robotic arm can be controlled in seven different ways with industrial-grade precision. Dobot has already well surpassed its $36,000 goal on Kickstarter.

Angee

This all-in-one, autonomous security system provides you with a 360° view of your home — along with voice recognition, at-the-door identification, motion-detecting rotation, advanced learning and cordless portability. Angee is currently seeking $250,000 on Kickstarter.

KNK Force

This computerized plotter boasts two cutting heads and a true Z-axis. KLIC-N-KUT is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Ivee

This voice-activated assistant, similar to the Amazon Echo, will turn any home into a smart home. Ivee is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

ZymKey

This tiny piece of hardware delivers trusted data services between open Linux devices, like the Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone. Zymbit is currently seeking $15,000 on Kickstarter.

Thinking Cleaner

This Wi-Fi module can be added onto your iRobot Roomba 700/800 to make it smarter and more aware. Thinking Cleaner is currently seeking $95,931 on Kickstarter.

FLUID

This gadget clamps onto your pipes to help you conserve water, save money and detect leaks by monitoring usage in real-time. FLUID is currently seeking $95,000 on Kickstarter.

CUJO

This unit will protect all smart home devices from the most sophisticated virtual intrusions, such as malware and phishing attempts. CUJO has already surpassed its goal of $30,000 on Indiegogo.

The RealThing

This full tube, completely analog, modelling guitar amplifier can be controlled from your smartphone, tablet and MIDI board. Klonz Labs is currently seeking $79,002 on Kickstarter.

The Barman II

This Bluetooth cocktail-mixing platform enables you to make drinks with just the touch of a screen. EBC Services is currently seeking $34,400 on Kickstarter.

InvizBox Go

This portable Wi-Fi privacy device can connect to public Wi-Fi and act as a Tor or VPN gateway. InvizBox is currently seeking $113,377 on Kickstarter.

Sondors Electric Bike

This inexpensive, versatile electric bike boasts a powerful 350W motor, all-terrain tires and can reach speeds of up to 20mph. Storm Sondors has already well surpassed its goal of $75,000 on Kickstarter.

Chameleon Electric Bicycle

This customizable, e-bike scooter sports some Tron-esque LED lights, a smart solar case, a Bluetooth controller and an 84V battery pack. Aldo Baiocchi is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

ANDBOT

This humanoid, who wants to become less of a robot but more of a companion, is capable of handling daily activities and protecting your household. Advanced Robotics is currently seeking $150,000 on Indiegogo.

Soundbot II

This lightweight, compact Bluetooth speaker can recharge wirelessly. Soundbot is currently seeking $20,000 on Kickstarter.

PupPod

This intelligent learning system for dogs allows them to solve problems and earn treats. PupPod is currently seeking $25,000 on Kickstarter.

WhittleCNC

This low-cost, high-quality CNC machine will help bring your ideas to life right from your desk or in the field. Zachary Adams is currently seeking $10,000 on Kickstarter.

Nibble

This pocket-sized development platform is equipped with Wi-Fi, an OLED display, microSD, an IR transmitter, a two-channel piezo speaker and a LiPo battery. Simone Picchioni is currently seeking $31,760 on Kickstarter.

Kaia

This sensor automatically analyzes the air in your home and provides you with real-time and historical analytics to help improve your indoor environment. MakeFutureStuff is currently seeking $150,000 on Kickstarter.

B.R.O. Ball

This Bluetooth, waterproof speaker is designed to function as an audible gadget that plays music and a football that you can toss around. Invincible Audio is currently seeking $75,000 on Kickstarter.

STELLIGHT

These bike lights offer customizable, app-enabled blink patterns to best suit your mood or purpose. Grabo is currently seeking $60,000 on Kickstarter.

SMRT Mouth

This smart mouth guard provides real-time biometric monitoring to athletes of all ages. SMRT Mouth is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

MONO

This sleek 3D printer includes a seven-inch touchscreen with a user-friendly interface for Makers. Mono Industries is currently seeking $13,611 on Kickstarter.

Power Clip

This super portable, multi-functional device attaches to your keychain and does everything from charge your phone to find your lost keys to store your extra data. Nicholas Tachmintzis is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Evapolar

This desktop personal air conditioner not only chills, but also humidifies and purifies the air around you. Evapolar is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

Turtle Mail

This Wi-Fi-connected, wooden mailbox for kids delivers and prints out messages from family, friends and even fictional characters. AE Dreams is currently seeking $30,000 on Kickstarter.

Yori

This telepresence robot allows you to interact with its surroundings, rather than just passively participate, using its extendable limbs. Yori is currently seeking $58,000 on Indiegogo.

CORE: Roam

This wearable, lightweight speaker is equipped with Bluetooth, a built-in microphone and LEDs for nighttime activity. Zachary is currently seeking $11,500 on Kickstarter.

Talon

This smart ring lets you play games and control apps using simple gestures. Titanium Falcon is currently seeking $300,000 on Indiegogo.

Did you happen to miss last week’s notable campaigns? If so, you can check them out here. Also, if your project is powered by Atmel MCUs and you’ve been featured on our blog, be sure to download the respective badges here for use in your ongoing marketing efforts.