My cat has an automatic feeder that goes off at five in the morning, so he doesn’t come and attack my toes when he’s ready for his morning meal. But that doesn’t stop him from wanting the human touch, in the form of me pouring approximately 15 extra pieces of food into his bowl once I’m finally out of bed. While I can visually check the bowl to make sure the feeder is actually working every morning, there’s still some anxiety if I go away for the weekend. What if the batteries die when I’m gone? Catspad is a smart food and water dispenser for cats (or small dogs) that is supposed to let you check in on Lady McPet or Sir Pounce via your phone while you’re traveling — or just at the office.
Because it holds 3.75 pounds (1.7 kilos) of food and just over 270 ounces (8 liters) of water (enough for a month, according to its creators), the Catspad is kind of huge: 20 by 13 inches. Its domed shape is reminiscent of some litter boxes I’ve seen, so hopefully your cat won’t get confused. Like any automatic feeder, you can set the amount and frequency of food you’re doling out, and the water dispenser can either run continually or activate when your cat is near. (This may freak out skittish cats, though.) In addition, it uses weight and pressure sensors to alert you when supplies are running low.
The feeder is also meant to work with an RFID chip in the accompanying collar. If you can get your cat to wear it, it will help track your cat’s nutrition. However, there’s no built-in camera, so you’ll have to rely on the app and food and water levels to ensure your cat is actually consuming the vittles and water. Presumably, this would also let you know that Fatty Bombatty is stealing all of Lil’ Bit’s food.
The Catspad plugs into the wall but also has a battery backup. Right now, it’s available on Indiegogo for $179 and will eventually retail for $299. The designers hope to ship the units in December 2016, but the usual backer beware warnings apply. Also, you should apply an extra layer of wariness whenever cats are involved; my own refuses to drink from (ridiculously expensive) pet fountains.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.