It's a dog's life: automated kennel lets hounds video chat with owners
Kennel that lets dogs surf web and 'chat' with owners among gadgets on display at home fair
Pet-care companies are betting that dog owners will spend to let technology take care of their pooches.
An automated kennel that feeds and cleans up after dogs - and even provides them with internet capabilities - along with a football that feeds them while they play with it are among gadgets to go on show at the 29th annual Houseware Fair.
Kelvin Zhang, a director of Hong Kong Tesla Technology, will unveil a smaller prototype of the kennel - the final version of which will take the form of a double-decker bus the height of a human - at the fair on April 20.
"Our intelligent systems can provide a better living environment for pet dogs and will bring changes to the lives of humans and their pets," Zhang said. The company plans to launch the product next year but has yet to set a price.
In a temperature-controlled environment, the doghouse's canine inhabitants will be able to surf the net, play games and video chat with their owners.
Almost the only thing the kennel won't do is walk them.