Roam 350 (smart dog leash)

2024: Market Entry

In early October 2024, Heel released the world's first virtual dog leash called the Roam 350.

The "leash" works due to the proprietary Autoprox wireless technology installed in the dog's collar and remote control. The length of the Heel virtual leash can be set from 3 to 229 m. If the dog exceeds the set distance, the collar will warn it that it has gone too far. If the dog does not heed this warning, it will receive a "corrective signal," also set by the owner: it can be vibration or a static discharge.

Heel

Heel's target audience is dog owners who want to hike, ride bikes, ride horses or even work without breaking away from their pets and allowing them to explore the surrounding area in peace. One remote can be connected to three collars, so that owners of several dogs do not need to carry additional devices with them. In addition, the remote is equipped with tactile feedback technology and will notify the owner when the dog receives a warning.

The system does not require a cellular signal, Wi-Fi or GPS, that is, it can be used even on a long hike or camping deep in the forest. Heel claims that using a virtual leash for four hours a day will give you four days of automatic use (Autoprox) and eight days of manual use.

The smallest dog Roam was able to pick up was a six-month-old rat terrier who usually weighs between 3.6 and 5.4 kg. The developers warned that the collar is unlikely to be useful to owners of smaller dogs. Heel also reminds that any technology is not 100% protected from errors, and urges responsible pet owners to follow the rules and common sense.^[1]

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