Dogs Are the Solution For Japanese Seniors
In Japan, nearly half of people over 65 live alone—a growing societal challenge as families become more dispersed. Traditional monitoring solutions like cameras and sensors often feel intrusive. A 2018 survey by the Tokyo Foundation highlighted that Japanese citizens were significantly more likely than Americans to reject services involving surveillance, reflecting a deep respect for privacy and autonomy.
Moreover, Japan boasts one of the highest life expectancies globally, with women averaging 87.14 years and men 81.09 years as of 2023. This longevity contributes to a cultural phenomenon where many elderly individuals do not perceive themselves as "old" and, consequently, resist being monitored. A study published in SAGE Open in 2023 found that later-born cohorts of Japanese older adults viewed their experience of aging more positively than earlier cohorts, indicating a shift in self-perception among the elderly.
見守 Campanion was thus created to rethink eldercare through an emotional, cultural lens. Campanion addresses this cultural nuance by shifting caregiving from surveillance to trusted presence. Inspired by お守り omamori (protective charms) and 注連縄 shimenawa (sacred ropes), Campanion transforms a dog's natural loyalty into a living guardian. A lightweight collar houses a discreet AI-powered camera that captures quiet glimpses of daily life. No footage is stored or streamed—only soft, dog-voiced updates that reach loved ones three times a day.
At a time when technology risks alienating those it seeks to help, Campanion proves connection can still feel alive, warm, and human.
見守 Campanion is a smart dog collar equipped with an AI-powered, wide-angle camera hidden inside a lightweight omamori charm. The dog wears the device naturally throughout the day. Three times daily, the camera discreetly captures brief glimpses of the owner's life (e.g., making tea, napping, walking outside). Gemini AI analyzes these subtle behaviors — interpreting mood, movement, and stability — without needing live footage. The AI generates simple text updates, written as if from the dog itself:
"Grandma made tea. She looks calm. I'm here."
Messages are sent to family members' smartphones through the Campanion app. The system maintains privacy, reduces anxiety, and strengthens emotional bonds across generations. Designed to be lightweight (under 700g) and inspired by traditional Japanese protective charms, Campanion blends emotional intelligence with technological precision — redefining how caregiving is felt, not just done.
Whilst this was conceived primarily from a Japanese train of thought, but the same can be applied to many different countries as well.
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Introducing Campanion - the smart dog collar that reimagines caregiving — not as surveillance, but as trusted, living presence. By blending AI with the natural loyalty of dogs, it transforms caregiving into something that feels less like technology and more like love. Campanion listens, interprets, and connects — creating a first-of-its-kind, animal-assisted AI that is non-intrusive, gentle, and deeply human.
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