Carelogy (CatsMe)

What it does

Based in Tokyo, Japan, Carelogy, Inc. is a technology startup focused on leveraging artificial intelligence for pet healthcare. Their flagship product is the innovative smartphone application CatsMe (originally launched as Cat Pain Detector or CPD), designed specifically to help cat owners identify potential pain in their feline companions. The core function of CatsMe relies on advanced AI; users upload a photo of their cat's face (or take one directly within the app), and the AI analyzes subtle facial expressions to assess the likelihood that the cat is experiencing pain, reportedly achieving an accuracy rate of over 95%. The development of CatsMe was a collaborative effort between Carelogy and researchers at Nihon University's College of Bioresource Sciences, involving input from the Animal Pain Research Association. The AI model was meticulously trained using a database of approximately 6,000 cat photographs. These images were expertly classified based on the scientifically validated "Feline Grimace Scale," which standardizes the assessment of pain through changes in ear position, eye squinting, muzzle tension, whisker position, and head posture. This foundation allows the app to recognize patterns indicative of pain that might be easily missed by the untrained eye. The system continues to learn and improve its accuracy as more users upload photos.