Core Insights - The article highlights the growing importance of bridging the digital divide in the context of AI integration into the economy, with a focus on digital infrastructure development [1] - UCL's PetPhone, an AI smart device for pets, has gained significant attention at CES2026, reflecting the company's latest strategies in global connectivity and the pet industry [1] Industry Overview - The global pet industry is projected to reach approximately $207 billion by 2024, with mature markets in Europe and North America leading the way [2] - In the U.S., the estimated number of pet dogs is 65 million and pet cats is 46.5 million for the 2024-2025 period, while Europe is expected to have over 100 million pet dogs and 129 million pet cats in 2024 [2] - China is identified as one of the fastest-growing and most promising markets, with over 50 million pet dogs and nearly 70 million pet cats [2] Product Launch and Market Strategy - UCL's PetPhone features two-way voice and video calling capabilities, designed to alleviate pet separation anxiety and enhance emotional connections between pets and their owners [3] - The product is set to launch in October 2025, with approximately 50,000 units ordered in the first quarter, indicating strong market interest [3] - The U.S. is currently the largest market for PetPhone, followed by China and Europe [3] Technological Advancements - UCL is focusing on a core technology system that supports a diverse product line, including IoT solutions for businesses, which is the fastest-growing segment for the company [5] - The company aims to address the challenges faced by IoT products entering overseas markets by providing global mobile connectivity solutions [5][6] - UCL's technology framework includes CloudSIM, AIHyperConn, and a six-fold precise positioning system to optimize connectivity across different countries and networks [6] Future Outlook - UCL's CEO expressed a long-term optimistic view on the pet AI smart terminal market, with plans for potential independent financing to scale and platformize the PetPhone business [3] - The emergence of PetPhone signifies a shift in pet smart hardware from basic functionality to emotional interaction, opening new possibilities for cross-species digital connections [4]