Anicom Holdings Inc., a parent company of Anicom Sogo Hoken Co., Ltd., the leading provider in pet insurance market share (※), has obtained a patent in Japan for a system using AI to detect emotions from videos of pets and the method for such emotion detection.
※: Share calculated based on each company’s contract numbers in 2023.
(Source: Fuji Economic’s “2024 Pet Related Market Marketing Overview”)
Pets do not speak human language but express emotions through their actions. Therefore, AI analyzes behaviors of pets captured in videos to determine their emotions. For example, for dogs, actions like “wagging their tail,” “yawning,” or “growling,” and for cats, behaviors such as “dilated pupils” or “turning their ears forward” are detected by AI. By correlating these behaviors with emotions such as “happiness,” “affection,” “alertness,” or “anger,” the system conducts emotion recognition.
Furthermore, this system can use AI to determine the type of pet (such as dogs, cats, birds) and their breed (like Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, Shiba Inus), enabling emotion detection tailored to these specific types and breeds. By considering the different correlations between behaviors and emotions for each type and breed of pet, the system is capable of more accurately determining emotions.
One method to gauge whether pets are healthy and happy involves recognizing “smiles,” which reflect positive emotions. Moving forward, there will be a focus on “smiles,” aiming to achieve a world where genuine “conversations” with pets become possible. In today’s climate where pets are increasingly seen as cherished family members, the development of AI technology to facilitate communication between pets and owners appears poised to significantly bridge that gap.
Anicom Holdings Inc.
