Unisys Corporation has created a new solution designed to take the stress out of transporting pets in aircraft cargo holds by providing owners with the ability to monitor and talk to their pets via their smartphones. Digi-Pet will offer high quality pet transport services and a better customer experience for the pet and its owner.

“We are emotionally attached to our pets and it can be distressing to be separated from them when travelling by air,” said Venkatesh Pazhyanur, senior industry director of Freight Solutions for Unisys. “Large pets, whether accompanied or not, must travel in the cargo hold. Unisys Digi-Pet uses IoT sensors to provide pet owners with full visibility of their pet’s comfort and the environmental conditions, as well as enabling them to talk to their pet – calming both the pet and owner.”

Digi-Pet uses IoT technology via smart sensors attached to the pet’s kennel or carry case, monitoring and transmitting key metrics such as temperature, oxygen levels, vibration and light. In addition, pet owners can also subscribe to live video streaming, photos and voice exchanges.

“Unisys Digi-Pet uses innovative IoT technology to enable air carriers to offer niche pet travel services, allowing them to enter and capture a high yield growing market while improving customer experience and loyalty as pet owners don’t need to find specialised pet or other transport modes for their needs,” said Pazhyanur.

By using this solution, airlines comply with the International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations, the worldwide standard for transporting live animals to ensure all animals are transported safely and humanely by monitoring the pet’s environmental conditions from the point of drop-off through to delivery to the final destination.

Furthemore, this service is not limited to transporting domestic pets only; it can also be used by shippers and carriers that transport other animal cargo such as horses, chicks or hatching eggs.

To find out if an airline offers this service, pet owners should contact the airline passenger division of the airport they wish to depart from.