Automatic Litterbox Central

Scott Larson wrote:From what we've pieced together from vague explanations of how it works, it's not much of a LR design rip off. The drum doesn't rotate and it relies on passing a screen or scoop through the litter just like the LitterMaid and other automated litterboxes. We'll have to wait and see if it can avoid all the problems with this method.

I'd have to agree with those who say that this does rotate. While they've presented some convincing arguements based on design and engineering, I'll point out that the very name Litter Revolution suggests that it revolves.

The change in release date is probably related to either patent pending considerations or contractual agreements with overseas manufacturers and cost (that is, manufacturers will reserve time, but want money before they actually make a thing, and there are normally unexpected delays).

Finally let me dash the psyched comments from those who love the clear plastic of the displayed prototype. While some of you may like seeing the clean litter, and another of you has a notion that the clear plastic will fool your enclosure-hating cat into thinking he's not enclosed, I can't imagine that the final product will have a transparent barrel. It will almost certainly be the same beige or grey plastic the rest of the unit is made of. Most consumers probably don't want to see the inside of the catbox even when it is clean, and remember that they get dirtier over time.

A couple of notes -- there's no obvious point to the two litter storage containers positioned on the sides of the rear aperature. Their shape seems impossible to fill without removing and inverting them, which would be a hassle. Unless they automatically dispense the clean litter, I'm just going to leave them empty and my clean litter in a bag next to the unit.

critter wrote:I'd have to agree with those who say that this does rotate. While they've presented some convincing arguements based on design and engineering, I'll point out that the very name Litter Revolution suggests that it revolves.

I was always under the impression that they were more going towards this definition:

n 1: a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving; "the industrial revolution was also a cultural revolution"
From dictionary.com

Their tags "Join the Revolution" with the kitten holding a flag, and "The Evolution is Revolution" seem to convey this idea.

But, I could be wrong.

Well the LItter Robot isn't a robot any more than your washing machine is a robot.

And I want to see it get dirty over time. That's how I'll know when to clean it.

Re: Color

According to the email I just got back from them:

"We have not finalized the color of the drum at this point but the goal is to have a clear or opaque option and one that is a bit more colored."

Smart choice on their part if you ask me. Options are always a plus!

Does anyone know if this product is out yet and if so, has anyone tried it? Also is Lauren still with the LR family? Sage

i don't know about anyone else but my cats do not like anyone watching them do their business....i just don't think they would use anything that is clear....they won't even usea standard litterbox without a hood...lol

I think I might try one too, if they ever get it released. It's amazing how quickly this industry spits out new products all the time. Littermaid created the market, and now it seems like 20 companies are on the band wagon! I am still using my LM920 with my LitterWorks (http://www.litterworks.com) waste bagging unit and it works very well, but I'm always up for something new!

Beck

Has anyone heard when this thing might actually be coming out? I've managed to keep my Littermaid working for some time (which is no small feat with 4 cats!) but it seems to have finally given up. It just quit! Anyway, before I shelled out the money for the Litter Robot, I thought I'd check the status of this one. Thanks.

I emailed the company and asked ... no answer.

I have a feeling that this company is discovering that making reliable automatic litterboxes is really really difficult.

Actually, they e-mailed me a week or two ago. I just forgot to mention that here!

I think they are working hard trying to optimize the design to minimize manufacturing costs in order to meet an acceptable price point. At this point they do not have an ETA for the product. It is still "a ways away."

Here's a quote from our correspondence:

What I can tell you at this time and you can share with your forum
members is that the Litter Revolution does not operate in any manner
like the Littermaid or Litter Robot. It's functionality in a sense is
almost often easily misunderstood until the product is seen...in other
words - it's very simple and once you view the product in action, the
typical reaction is "wow, how simple". Most people overthink it...in a
nutshell the drum has a screen attached to it. There are rollers in the
base. The drum rotates on the rollers (keep in mind screen is attached
to the drum), and sifts through the litter which remains at the bottom
of the base (think turning wheel and screen attachment, NOT a rake).
When the screen gets to the "home" point or starting place the waste is
deposited into a bag at the back of the unit.

They promised to keep in touch with me regarding product availability.

Just so you all know, I got this message this morning shortly after emailing the company on release date.

Thank you for your interest in the Litter Revolution. At this time a final retail price has not been set but our target is between $229 and $249. We do not have a date when shipment can be expected at this time. Presently the product is undergoing a bit of re-engineering to ensure it will be cost-effective to manufacture. With the recent increases in fuel and plastics prices we have had to devote additional time and resources into the design phase. Since we do not have an approximate date to provide to you at this time, if you are currently in the market for a new litterbox we highly recommend that you purchase one which is already available to consumers. Once the Litter Revolution is closer to being available for purchase we will be sure to contact you. Thank you for your interest and your patience!

Here is a bit more information about the product which is being designed:

The waste receptacle is large enough to hold the waste of 1 cat for 5-7 days. Obviously it will need to be changed more often with more cats. It is very simple to change the bag and replace it with a new one. There is no mess involved as long as the bag is not allowed to overflow it's capacity. The smell is reduced greatly since all waste is corralled into a bag and the litter itself is kept very clean by the screen mechanism used.

The drum is 22" in diameter and the cat has the majority of that interior space to move in. The screen takes up a small portion of the drum and is only 4" wide. The footprint of the unit will be approximately 22"x21"x16".

The Litter Revolution may appear similar to the Litter Robot but it is quite different in it's functionality. The screen is attached to the drum and the drum is rotated by a motor. The waste is then dropped into the bag at the back of the unit once the screen returns to it's "home" position. There is no drawer to pull out, nothing to get stuck, etc. The unit is also completely different in functionality than the Littermaid. It was the inventors own personal experiences with a Littermaid that prompted him to develop the Litter Revolution. There is no "rake" in the Litter Revolution and it does not work in any way close to the Littermaid.

We realize there is limited information on our website at this time and that has been done purposefully. When we are closer to the release date, we will provide much more information on the website as well as details on warranties, customer service, etc.

We will keep your name and email on file for future updates. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The waste receptacle is large enough to hold the waste of 1 cat for 5-7 days.

Yikes! This is not going to be a product for multi-cat households!

Wyldecard wrote:The Litter Revolution may appear similar to the Litter Robot but it is quite different in it's functionality. The screen is attached to the drum and the drum is rotated by a motor. The waste is then dropped into the bag at the back of the unit once the screen returns to it's "home" position. There is no drawer to pull out, nothing to get stuck, etc.

Actually this sounds just like the Litter Robot -- screen attached to the drum, drum rotated by motor, screen sifting litter etc. The only differences are that it only rotates in one direction (good idea) and where the stuff ends up.

The big question I have is how much litter gets stuck to the inside of the drum. The LR has the weighted liner that attempts to bump off any litter that's stuck to it. If the Litter Revolution's drum is a solid tube like it appears, the bottom is going to be caked in stuck litter in a couple of days.

I'm seriously starting to think that this product is vaporware. They've been promissing a product forever and nothing has materialized. First it was 2005... then early 2006... now it's mid-2006 and who knows what's up. My last email to them went unanswered. I think that after a year of waiting I may have to finally give up and buy a litter robot... for like... TWICE the price. The robot is insanely overpriced... but I have vacations coming up and I really hate having to make friends come over to clean the litter box.