Skip to main content

Worried about pets in hot cars? ThermalTag will keep an eye on Fluffy while you’re driving

Dog
damedeeso/123RF
When the sun comes out, it’s time to play for humans and dogs alike. You’ll struggle to find an activity more satisfying than romping about the outdoors with man’s best friend, but when the temperatures rise, there are concerns pet owners must take into account. Namely, cars can get incredibly hot if left in the sun, which makes things very dangerous for our four-legged companions.

According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, temperatures inside of a car on a 70-degree day can jump by 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. In addition, dogs regulate heat much differently than humans do, so even if the windows are cracked, short trips to the store can be very risky. And as we all know, 10 minutes can easily turn into 20 if you get distracted.

Recommended Videos

A new product called ThermalTag hopes to mitigate some of the danger. The device consists of a small, 2×2 temperature sensor that hooks onto a dog or cat collar, and it links to a smartphone app to keep the owner in the loop of the pet’s health. Or rather it will, as the product is currently being crowdfunded on Indiegogo.

ThermalTag
Otis wearing a ThermalTag

“Our dogs are part of our family,” the product website reads. “We would do anything for them and want them to be safe and healthy. We want to protect them, wherever we go.”

Read more: Satisfy your wanderlust (and Instagram) with the best vehicle rooftop tents

If funded, ThermalTag will allow busy pet owners to take their dogs, cats, or capybaras anywhere with the confidence that a second set of eyes is watching their furry friend. The temperature sensor is water resistant as well, and will also allow users to drop a “pin” at their parking spot so they can find their car as quickly as possible.

To reach its goal, ThermalTag needs to raise $51,500 by October.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
These new NASA EVs will drive astronauts part way to the moon (sort of)
NASA's new crew transportation electric vehicles.

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week. The zero-emission vehicles, which will carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions, were delivered by Canoo Technologies of Torrance, California. NASA/Isaac Watson

NASA has shown off a trio of new all-electric vehicles that will shuttle the next generation of lunar astronauts to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center.

Read more
5 upcoming EVs I’m excited for, from luxury SUVs to budget champions
Lotus Eletre

Almost every major automaker has released an EV by now -- or plans to soon -- and makers like Ford and Kia already have a variety to choose from. But if you haven't found one that's right for you yet, hang tight. There are dozens of announced electric car models that have yet to come out, and it's clear that the future of EVs is bright.

From longer range to lower prices, the next batch of EVs gives us plenty to get excited about. Here are five upcoming EVs that we can't wait to drive.
Volvo EX30

Read more
Tesla shows off first Cybertruck after two years of delays
The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility.

The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility. Tesla

Tesla has shown off the first Cybertruck to roll off the production line at its new Gigafactory plant in Austin, Texas.

Read more