Joipaw provides a fun, interactive dog toy that encourages mental stimulation.
Joipaw , a new UK-based startup, found that video games can have beneficial effects on dogs' brains when it comes to diseases often associated with aging in dogs. The only problem was that there were no commercially available video games for dogs.
According to Axios , it’s a dog game console with a “saliva-resistant touchscreen” that rewards dogs with treats every time they do well. Current games include a whack-a-mole title and a game where the dog guesses which picture has the most bubbles. These are basic games, but there are plans for more complex games that would use a motion sensor on the dog’s collar
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Dersim Avdar, founder of JoiPaw, told TechCrunch that they want to not only improve the health of dogs through enrichment, but also show the world how smart these animals are. He went on to say that people tend to empathize and care for others better when they understand that these individuals are not so different from them after all.
The idea for Joipaw came from Dersim Avdar ’s dog, Jawet , and his subsequent desire to give her something to do when he didn’t have time to play with her. Avdar later discovered a 2017 study that showed how toys can improve cognitive health in aging dogs. “I want to continue the work of these researchers,” Avdar told Axios .
The most difficult aspect of Joipaw is getting the dog's attention. Unlike humans, dogs don't usually look at screens, so Joipaw has to display an image of peanut butter—the one thing every pup loves more than anything else. The ultimate goal is to get dogs to play without needing to be bribed with peanut butter.
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There is no current timeline for Joipaw ’s launch . Avdar said he still needs to work out a pricing model and produce more games, one of which will involve avoiding the quills of a hedgehog. “We’re also planning a global leaderboard,” Avdar commented. “I can totally imagine esports for dogs.”
Source: thegamer.com
