Visualizing cat GPS data: a study of user requirements

Abstract

Domestic cats are usually allowed to roam freely outside without human supervision, which creates a new market for consumer GPS tracking devices. However, current GPS devices and the supporting interfaces and visualizations are usually created with a focus on dog owners. To acquire more insight into the needs of cat owners in relation to GPS devices for domestic cats, an iterative prototype-based study was conducted. This paper presents the requirements for the visualization of GPS data of domestic cats that were determined in collaboration with cat owners during the study. Interviews and multiple prototypes were used as tools to identify and refine these requirements and were mostly based on cat owners' concerns and curiosity for their cats' location. The most important requirements for a cat owner-centered GPS visualization were being able to request the live location and being alerted if the cat might be in trouble.