Ford develops noise-cancelling kennel for dogs

New Year's Eve. Faces lit up with joy as the countdown to midnight begins and the skies are illuminated by fireworks. But the soundtrack to that experience can be a painful one for pets and worrying for owners. One possible answer could be a noise-cancelling kennel that uses similar technology to that found in cars and headphones to protect sensitive canine ears and ensure owners do not have to banish their pets away from the rest of the family.

Once microphones inside the prototype kennel detect the sound of the fireworks, a built-in audio system emits opposing frequencies that in effect cancels out the noise completely - or at least reduces it significantly. High-density cork, ideal for sound proofing was an integral part of the design. 

The idea was inspired by the noise-cancelling technology that Ford has 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. The noise-cancelling kennel is the first in a series of Ford initiatives - called Interventions - that applies automotive know-how to help solve everyday problems.