If you've ever wondered what your dog's barks really mean, a new 'AI collar' claims to translate their noises with remarkable accuracy.

Chinese startup Meng Xiaoyi has launched a device that it alleges can translate animal sounds into human language.

The company says its PettiChat device uses artificial intelligence to interpret pet vocalisations with up to 95 per cent accuracy.

Reports suggest around 10,000 units have already been reserved after pre–orders opened earlier this month.

'Scientific research shows pets have unique emotional sound patterns,' the company's website reads. 

'PettiChat goes beyond existing models, using advanced AI to deliver 94.6 per cent real–time translation accuracy you can trust.'

The device, which can be attached to a standard collar, claims to translate words and phrases 'in just 1.2 seconds'.

However, some people have cast doubt on the validity of the claims – as there does not appear to be any published data on the accuracy of the gadget.

According to the company, the AI translator was built on millions of voiceprint data points collected from pets.

This, allegedly, allows it to recognise vocalisations, emotions and behavioural language with high accuracy.

Examples of translated phrases provided by the company include 'leave me alone, you're bothering me', 'I want those treats' and 'pay attention to me'.

The collar also claims to translate human words and phrases into something your animal can understand.

The device is currently priced at £114 on the company's website. It also requires an annual subscription to an app.

'PettiChat was founded by a multidisciplinary team of AI engineers, animal behaviour scientists, veterinarians and pet lovers,' the website reads.

'By combining scientific research with advanced AI, PettiChat is pioneering a new era of interspecies communication – deepening the bond between humans and their pets.

'Imagine finally understanding every bark, wag and little mood of your furry friend.'

Videos shared online appear to show the device working, with dogs demanding that their owners play with them and cats asking if it is time for a treat. However, not everyone is sold.

One person on X wrote: 'I wonder how they proved the "accuracy".'

Another added: '95 per cent accuracy means one in 20 translations is just made up. Your cat says "feed me" and the collar goes "I've been contemplating the void".'

Someone else joked: 'Can it finally answer the question: Do you genuinely love me or just hang out because I give you food?'

The device, which is waterproof, can be switched off when not in use, the company said – to help address privacy issues.

It keeps a chat history with your pet and can track their movements, providing an alert if your animal wanders too far.

'PettiChat is designed to support awareness and care,' the company said. 'It does not replace your judgement, your experience or your bond with your pet.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Meng Xiaoyi to ask for further information regarding the accuracy of the device. 

Experts have previously revealed that AI may soon enable humans to communicate with dolphins.

A new model created by Google may reveal the secrets behind how the animals communicate for the very first time, with hopes that we may be able to 'speak dolphin' in the future.

Google DeepMind's DolphinGemma has been programmed with the world's largest collection of dolphin sounds, including clicks, whistles and vocalizations that have been recorded over several years by the Wild Dolphin Project.

Dr Denize Herzing, founder and research director of the Wild Dolphin Project said: 'We do not know if animals have words.

'Dolphins can recognize themselves in the mirror, they use tools, they're smart but language is still the last barrier so feeding dolphin sounds into an AI model will give us a really good look if there are patterns, subtleties that humans can't pick out.'