Flappie: The Cat Door that stops the Cat from Gifting you Dead Mice

Credit: Engadget

Flappie's Unique Technology

Flappie's cat door is not just any ordinary pet door. Equipped with a motion sensor and a night-vision camera on its exterior side, this door uses a "unique and proprietary" dataset to identify whether your cat is trying to bring in prey from outside. The AI powering this door boasts an impressive accuracy rate of over 90%, reducing the chances of your cat sneaking in with a mouse or bird.

Features and Flexibility

Besides its AI capabilities, the Flappie cat door comes with manual switches, allowing pet owners to lock or unlock the door and turn off the prey-detection system as needed. The door's intelligent system can train pets over time, unlocking only when they drop any carried prey outside.

Additionally, the Flappie door includes chip detection technology, ensuring that it opens only for your microchipped pet. There's also a companion app for remote control, though the door functions perfectly well without internet connectivity through its onboard controls.

The Flappie AI Cat Door incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) in several innovative ways to prevent cats from bringing prey like mice or birds into the house. Here's a more detailed look at how it uses AI:

1. Motion Sensor and Night-Vision Camera: At the heart of the Flappie cat door's AI system are a motion sensor and a night-vision camera. These components are crucial for the initial detection of the cat as it approaches the door, especially in low-light conditions.

2. Unique and Proprietary Dataset: Flappie has compiled a comprehensive dataset that is central to its AI's functionality. This dataset includes a wide variety of images and videos of different cat breeds and potential prey, captured under various lighting conditions. The diversity of this dataset is key to the system's ability to accurately recognize when a cat is trying to bring in prey.

3. AI-Powered Detection System: The AI uses the data from the motion sensor and camera to analyze the shape, size, and movement patterns of objects the cat might be carrying. By comparing this real-time data against its dataset, the AI can determine with over 90% accuracy whether the cat is attempting to bring in prey.

4. Behavioral Training and Recognition: Over time, the AI system can also aid in training pets. When it detects prey, the door locks, and only unlocks when the cat drops the prey. This consistent response can train the cat to understand that it cannot enter while carrying something.

5. Microchip Recognition: In addition to detecting prey, the AI is also capable of identifying specific pets through microchip recognition. This ensures that the door opens only for the microchipped pet, adding an extra layer of security and personalization.

6. Manual Overrides and App Integration: While AI plays a significant role in the door's operation, manual overrides are available for pet owners to control the door's locking mechanism. The companion app also allows for remote monitoring and control, enhancing the AI's functionality.

The combination of these AI-driven features makes the Flappie cat door a sophisticated and effective solution for pet owners looking to prevent their cats from bringing in unwanted prey, while still allowing their pets the freedom to move in and out of the house.