Voyce, a computerized collar that monitors a dog’s vital signs, is ready for the marketplace more than a year after winning acclaim at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. The $299 device, which requires a prepaid subscription plan, will ship in small, medium and large sizes in March, according to the manufacturer, i4C Innovations Inc. of Chantilly, Va. Orders also are being taken for extra-large collars, which should begin arriving on doorsteps in April. Voyce is being promoted to dog owners and to veterinarians, who can “partner with their clients,” i4C President Jeff Noce said. “By providing vets with objective data trends, previously difficult to obtain, there is now an opportunity for early detection and diagnosis, offering dogs, their pet parents and vets the ability to identify and implement treatment plans earlier and track treatment progress over time,” Noce said. Outfitted with WiFi technology, an accelerometer, sensors and a rechargeable battery, Voyce is designed to measure and transmit resting heart and respiratory rates, activity levels, rest patterns and calories burned. The data may be viewed on desktop and tablet computers and smartphones. Shared with veterinarians, the information helps “connect the dots between visits,” the company stated. The subscription plan is priced at $9.95 a month or $99.95 a year. Membership brings tailored online content through a partnership with the Canadian veterinary education company LifeLearn Inc. as well as other benefits. Voyce made a splash in early 2014 at the technology industry’s Consumer Electronics Show, winning a Best of CES award. Displayed again in Las Vegas this month while being readied for sale, the collar won CES’ Everyday Health Award in the pet health category. Voyce isn’t the only wearable dog monitor on the market. Competitors include Whistle, Tagg and Fitbark.
