A bizarre drone designed to take the hassle out of walking your dog is being advertised by an online retailer.

Drones Direct say that they have modified a popular automated aerial vehicle to allow owners to take their pet for a stroll completely hands free.

The device uses GPS to lead dogs along a programed route.

Their DJI Phantom 4 Dog Drone, which the firm insists is a genuine product, costs twice the price of the regular model at ₤1,999 (US$2,563).

Drones Direct say that the gadget will allow owners to text or sit on a park bench whilst keeping an eye on their pets on their daily walk.

Owners simply set the desired walking route via their smartphone and set off, with the drone following a set GPS route and returning home on its own.

The company claims to have installed built-in collision avoidance and an automated altitude ability, to ensure the flying Dog Drone can navigate obstacles.

Mark Kelly, marketing manager at the site, said, “Following the success of our Cat Drone, we didn’t feel it was fair to forget our canine friends.

“The launch of the innovative Dog Drone is a great alternative for pet owners who lead busy lives by giving the option of hands-free walking.

“This handy piece of tech means dogs have a companion by their side whilst getting the exercise and enjoying the fresh outdoor air they desperately need on a daily basis.”

There would seem to be a number of potential problems that could face the drone.

Many dogs are likely to be scared of it and try to escape or attack it.

The drone is also unlikely to be able to accurately detect when your pet stops, which could mean it is dragged along unwillingly.

It’s illegal for a drone to go out of view, which means you will need to follow closely.

While the drone itself can avoid obstacles, the lead could present a collision risk to other people and objects.

The drone is not available online, so anyone interested in buying one will have to travel to a Huddersfield showroom.

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【麻烦】máfán hassle trouble, bother

【迫切地】pòqiè de desperately with great urgency

一家线上零售商发布了一则广告，宣传一款可以帮人遛狗的奇特无人机。

Drones Direct公司表示他们改装了一款流行的无人机，可以让狗主人遛狗时完全解放双手。

这款无人机运用GPS定位系统沿着设置好的路线引领小狗。

这家公司表示，大疆幻影4遛狗无人机是一款可靠产品，售价是标准版的两倍，为1999英镑（2563美元）。

公司表示，这款无人机可以让狗主人在每天遛狗时一边看着小狗，一边发短信或者坐在公园的长椅上休息。

使用者只需要通过智能手机设置一条遛狗路线再启动无人机，无人机就会沿着GPS定位的路线遛狗，最后再将狗带回家。

这家公司说机器中有内置避让系统和自动控制高度系统，可以让遛狗无人机避开障碍物。

网站的市场销售经理马克•凯利说：“继我们的小猫无人机的成功之后，我们觉得忘记小狗朋友很不公平。”

“这款新型遛狗无人机对那些抽不出时间遛狗的人来说是绝佳选择，可以让他们在遛狗时解放双手。”

“这种便捷的高科技产品意味着小狗身边可以多一个陪伴者，和它一起锻炼，一起享受每天急需的新鲜户外空气。”

然而这款无人机可能还有一些潜在的问题。很多小狗可能会害怕这种机器，还会试着逃离它或者攻击它。这款无人机不太可能精确地感受到小狗停止走路，这就意味着它可能会强行拽着小狗向前走。让无人机离开视线是违法的，这就需要人们紧跟着它。

虽然这款无人机可以躲避障碍物，但小狗却可能撞到人或物。

人们无法在网上买到这款无人机，感兴趣的人只能到位于哈德斯菲尔德的公司展厅购买。(Chinadaily.com.cn)