Ford's Noise-Cancelling Kennel Calms Firework-Phobic Dogs

Christmas might be just around the corner, but Ford is already looking to New Year’s Eve - and more specifically, the barrage of fireworks that accompanies the countdown to midnight.

While people's faces might be lit up with joy (and probably copious amounts of booze), the accompanying bangs can be distressing for pets, with some 45 per cent of dogs in the UK showing signs of fear when they hear fireworks.  

To solve the problem, Ford and its agency GTB have created a noise-cancelling kennel that uses similar technology to that used in cars and headphones, to protect sensitive canine ears. The futuristic-looking triangular pod is the first in Ford's Interventions series - initiatives that apply automotive know-how to help solve everyday problems.

So how, exactly, does it work? When microphones inside the kennel detect the sound of the fireworks, a built-in audio system emits opposing frequencies that either cancels out the noise completely, or significantly reduces it, helped by high-density, sound-proofing cork used in the design.  

The idea was inspired by the noise-cancelling technology that Ford introduced to the Edge SUV, that helps to ensure quieter journeys for drivers and passengers. When microphones pick up high levels of noise from the engine or transmission, this is counteracted using opposing sound waves from the car’s audio system.

“Many animals find fireworks scary – and compared to people, dogs can hear things that are four times further away, and across a much wider range of frequencies. Preparing in advance of firework displays is the key – and part of that is to identify a place where your pets feel safe and happy,” explains dog trainer Graeme Hall, aka 'The Dogfather' (no, we're not making this up). 

“We wondered how the technologies we use in our cars could be applied to help in other situations. Could dogs enjoy quieter New Year’s Eve celebrations through the application of our Active Noise Control system? We have a few more ideas in progress as to how our everyday lives might benefit from a little Ford know-how,” says Lyn West, brand content manager, marketing communications for Ford of Europe.

Although it's just a prototype for now, the enthusiastic responses to the case study video on YouTube suggest there's real consumer demand for the invention - with some suggesting that if the concept goes into production, a larger version could be added to accommodate human firework-phobes as well.