Determining if a Furry Friend is Sick with Just One Photo
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Development Council, the number of registered pets in Taiwan has exceeded 230,000 as of 2023. However, the number of newborn registrations is only 150,000, and with a decreasing trend each year, the number of furry companions is actually increasing. This has led to the emergence of a new pet economy known as the “Pet Generation.”
However, it is difficult for pet owners to determine if their furry friends are unwell. They are unsure if their pet’s condition matches the information found online, if the online information is accurate, if medical treatment is necessary, or if a doctor’s diagnosis of a minor issue is correct.
To address these concerns, a South Korean startup called AI For Pet has developed an app called TTcare. This app utilizes AI to preliminarily identify possible causes of illness with an accuracy rate of up to 95%. Currently, AI For Pet is targeting the Taiwanese market, which is experiencing a thriving pet economy, in addition to the American market.
The AI technology of AI For Pet can currently analyze visible features of cats and dogs such as their eyes, skin, joints, and teeth. For example, if a pet has red and swollen eyes or is constantly itching a specific area, pet owners can use the TTcare app’s camera to capture photos or videos of the discomfort. The AI image recognition can then determine the severity of the pet’s abnormal condition and indicate possible symptoms based on thermal imaging.
By providing an initial assessment, pet owners can determine if their pet’s condition is urgent, reducing anxiety. The app’s e-commerce platform also suggests which foods or supplements can improve the pet’s condition. If further examination is needed, TTcare provides remote consultations with veterinarians.
The process of online consultations is similar to physical visits to a veterinary hospital. The veterinarian first observes the pet’s symptoms and determines if a visit is necessary. However, because the pet’s preliminary assessment data is available on TTcare, veterinarians can quickly recommend treatment options and confirm symptoms based on this data.
However, the biggest challenge for this service is regulation. Remote prescription services for pets are only legalized in a few countries, so most veterinarians cannot provide prescriptions to pet owners. AI For Pet has obtained permission from some state governments in the United States and is currently applying for permits in California and Indiana. They are also actively seeking veterinarians and legislators willing to collaborate, using their expertise and existing customer networks to legalize online prescriptions in more cities.
In terms of pet health supplements, AI For Pet markets its products using the approach of “pet preventive care” in the United States. They educate pet owners on how to “examine their pet’s health” to detect early signs of diseases and reduce the frequency of treatments.
In addition to establishing a viable business model in terms of regulations and sales, AI For Pet’s other competitive advantage is its AI technology. Before the establishment of AI For Pet, founder Euna Huh, along with a professor specializing in big data and a veterinarian, developed the AI technology of TTcare for research purposes. They collaborated with three universities in South Korea and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the United States, collecting and diagnosing over 2.5 million images. These images were annotated and verified by a professional veterinary team, ensuring the credibility of TTcare’s AI model.
After completing this research, the three decided to apply this technology to practical use. Euna Huh, who has 25 years of experience in AI and big data, commercialized the technology and founded AI For Pet in 2020. Their goal is to assist more pet owners and their furry companions.
AI For Pet plans to expand to the European and American markets, with their next research subject potentially being horses. Currently, the AI diagnostic service of TTcare is free to use, but fees still apply for online consultations. Another revenue stream is selling their AI solutions to pet insurance, food, and supplies companies, charging different amounts based on the type of company and frequency of use.
With over 300,000 downloads in South Korea, AI For Pet has reached the Series B funding stage. They aim to raise approximately $15 million in this stage to support their future market plans. Sungjun Park, a developer at AI For Pet, revealed that their target for 2025 is to have TTcare downloaded by users in the European and American markets. They also plan to sell their pet health supplements on Amazon in July 2024.
To expand overseas, AI For Pet has partnered with the Taiwanese startup accelerator Garage+. They hope that with the accelerator’s assistance, they can successfully secure funding and explore opportunities for international development. Their first target market is the United States, followed by Japan, which is ranked among the top five global pet markets. Considering the presence of pet horses in the European and American markets, AI For Pet is currently conducting research and development focused on the characteristics of horses in addition to analyzing dogs and cats using AI.
