Let A Robot Clean Up After Your Cat

Recently, I warned you that robot overlords will be taking over. First sign? They’re cute and useful. Soon, we won’t be able to bear living without them. Then, if my research holds true, we humans are well on our way to becoming fuel for angry, meat-eating, self-perpetuating machines.

I’m here to report that I am now a willing victim. Yes, I’m weak. When given the opportunity to review Litter-Robot, I seized the chance to observe the threat up close. Maybe knowing my enemy better could help me in some dystopian robot-controlled future. Besides, it’s not like I need the help. I barely do any chores around here because I’ve foisted them off on my super-responsible kids. Let me tell you, those kids were excited when the robot arrived.

First impression of the Litter-Robot? It reminded us of those early diving helmets, the ones that look so steampunk now.

The Litter-Robot is cleverly designed. This self-cleaning enclosure senses a cat’s weight, then automatically starts the cleaning process seven minutes later. It rotates slowly, using gravity to sift litter rather than using a raking method. There’s no clogging or jamming, and only the clumped litter goes into the receptacle. When a waste bag in the collection drawer is full, you simply replace it with another bag. There’s no need for expensive custom-fit bags, because it has clips to accommodate any garbage bag you choose. Cleaning takes only few seconds. No litter dust from scooping, no yucky cleaning, no spilled litter, no fuss at all. And we haven’t noticed an odor either, thanks to its enclosed design and carbon filters.

We carefully followed the instructions for introducing our cats to the unit. It’s important to take it slowly, so they adjust. They accommodated perfectly in about a week and a half. We’re really pleased with this product’s sturdy construction and the fact that it’s made in the U.S.A. The Litter-Robot has a 90-day, money-back guarantee and an 18-month warranty, plus a customer support line. The whole unit seems pricey as an initial investment, but there are big savings over time, because you use so much less litter. The company says customers save 50 percent or more on litter. Sparing yourself the kitty litter box chore is, of course, priceless.

We couldn’t just call it a robot. No, the humans here insisted it have a name. Proposals included Cheezburger, Nyan, Max, and Wilbur. Max won. Also, the little thing has become a “him.” I will try to pretend I still call Max “it” for the purposes of this review, but it’s harder than you might imagine.

I really appreciate Max, er, the Litter-Robot. Maybe a robot-run future won’t be all that bleak. And those large googly eyes we stuck on it make it seem downright personable.

GeekMom received this item for review purposes.