NoseID
In the United States, approximately 10 million pets go missing each year, yet only 3-5% have microchips. In light of this, can technological advancements offer a new way to help reunite lost pets with their owners? As a longstanding collaborator with adam&eveDDB, we have extensive experience with their creative and project management teams on significant projects. They approached us to develop an AI-powered app capable of identifying dogs by their nose, intending to support a pilot campaign as an alternative to conventional pet tagging in the U.S. for a major IAMS marketing initiative.
To tackle this project, we worked closely with the adam&eveDDB creative team to transform their campaign designs into a user-friendly app. The initial phase involved determining whether machine learning could successfully identify and capture a unique ‘nose print’ from images and videos of dogs, along with creating a prototype for identification, registration, and reunification. We integrated data analytics with usability testing feedback to refine the dog registration and reporting processes. Given that IAMS is part of the Mars Group, we adhered to various security and IT protocols, with our tech leads collaborating diligently with Mars teams to ensure a smooth launch without delays.
The outcome was successful; we demonstrated that AI could effectively recognize dogs using images of their unique nose prints. During the pilot program in Memphis, Tennessee, there were 22,000 app downloads, resulting in the successful return of several lost dogs to their owners. Additionally, we observed a 36% increase in registration rates throughout the app pilot, facilitated by usability testing and data analytics. This effort helped position IAMS as an innovative brand, achieving the most cutting-edge public relations in its 76-year history.