Knowing whether your fur baby is sick can be a challenge for pet owners. With the number of newborn babies decreasing each year in Taiwan, the number of pets has actually increased, leading to the rise of the “pet generation” and the pet economy. However, it is difficult for owners to determine if their fur babies are unwell. They are unsure if their pets’ conditions match the information found online, if the online information is accurate, if they need to seek medical attention, or if the doctors’ diagnosis is accurate.
To address these concerns, a Korean startup called AI For Pet has developed an app called TTcare. This app utilizes AI to preliminary diagnose possible causes of illness in pets, with an accuracy rate of up to 95%. AI For Pet has not only targeted the US market but also set its sights on Taiwan, where the pet economy is flourishing.
Currently, AI For Pet’s AI technology can 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 certain area, owners can use TTcare’s camera to take photos or videos of the uncomfortable and abnormal areas. The AI image recognition will then analyze the severity of the pet’s condition based on thermal imaging and indicate possible symptoms.
By using this preliminary diagnosis, pet owners can determine if their pets’ conditions are urgent, reducing anxiety. The app’s e-commerce platform also provides recommendations on which foods or supplements can improve the pet’s condition. If further examination is needed, TTcare also offers remote consultations with veterinarians.
The process of online consultations is similar to visiting a veterinary clinic in person. Veterinarians observe the pet’s symptoms and determine if they need to be seen. However, because the pets’ data has already been assessed through TTcare’s preliminary evaluation, veterinarians can provide treatment advice and confirm symptoms more quickly based on this data.
One of the biggest challenges faced by AI For Pet is regulations. While remote prescriptions for pets are only legal in a few countries, most veterinarians are still unable to issue prescriptions remotely. However, AI For Pet has obtained permission from some state governments in the United States and is in the process of applying for permits in California and Indiana. They are also actively seeking collaboration with veterinarians and lawmakers to legalize online prescriptions in more cities, utilizing their professional expertise and existing customer networks.
In terms of pet healthcare products, AI for Pet markets itself in the United States as a “pet preventive care” service, teaching owners how to “check their pets’ health” to detect early signs of diseases and reduce the number of veterinary visits.
Besides establishing a viable business model in terms of regulations and sales, AI For Pet’s other competitive advantage lies in 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 behind TTcare for research purposes. They collaborated with three universities in Korea, as well as Ohio State University and veterinary hospitals in the United States, to collect and diagnose over 2.5 million images. The AI model of TTcare became more credible through the labeling and verification process conducted by a professional veterinary team, becoming a competitive advantage for AI For Pet.
After completing this research, the three individuals decided to apply the technology in more practical settings. With Euna Huh’s 25 years of experience in AI and big data and her desire to apply AI to various aspects of life, she commercialized the technology and founded AI For Pet in 2020, aiming to help more pet owners and their pets.
AI For Pet’s developer, Sungjun Park, revealed that their goal for 2025 is to expand TTcare’s user base to the European and American markets. They also plan to sell their pet healthcare products on Amazon by July 2024. To expand overseas, AI For Pet has partnered with Garage+, a startup accelerator in Taiwan. Through the accelerator’s support, they hope to secure funding and opportunities for overseas development, focusing on the United States as their first international market. They are also considering Japan, which ranks among the top five pet markets globally, as their second market. Considering the presence of pet horses in the European and American markets, AI For Pet is currently conducting research and development on horse characteristics, in addition to analyzing dogs and cats using AI.