Can a drone walk your dog?
Company promises 30-minute walks on chosen GPS route
There’s a drone for everything, including one to walk your dog, thanks to a U.K. company.
Drones Direct, based in West Yorkshire, England, tells customers, “Give the dog a drone.” The company’s DJI’s Phantom 4 Proflight Walkies Dog Drone has a built-in retractable leash, hands-free piloting and runs at an “auto altitude” (we guess that means high enough to avoid a dog attack).
It promises to walk your dog for up to 30 minutes along a GPS route of your choosing, while avoiding obstacles with “built-in collision avoidance technology,” according to its product description. Plus, the drone’s camera will help you keep an eye on your pup, using a smartphone.
“There’ll be days when you just can’t find time to walk little rover and have to unfortunately miss a day,” the site says. “Fortunately for you, we’re here to help!”
The drone isn’t cheap. It will set customers back more than $2,300.
Despite the company’s promise that “you don’t have to worry about a thing,” there are plenty of ways a dog-walking drone could go wrong.
For example, a Great Dane probably could overpower the drone, while a Yorkie might be lifted into flight.
Even if the drone is able to control the dog, law enforcement might not be too supportive of an unattended dog.
No word on whether there’s any poop retrieval.
Drones Direct, based in West Yorkshire, England, tells owners, “Give the dog a drone.”