Michael,

Davie, FL

However, I have two suggestions for the Litter Robot III.

1 – Enable waste pass-through.

Since my unit is now out of warranty, I did this myself (to allow a little buffer between changes, should I forget). I cut out a section from the base, extending from the back between the hanger where the tray rests, around the front of these brackets and to the sides inside of the inner reinforcing rod on each side, and along them to the front support. I then cut the tray to match (the tray cannot be removed entirely, since it is needed for weight-sensing purposes), and created a sleeve from the bottom of the globe through the bottom of the base. The sleeve eliminates the possibility of a mess in the tray, which would be reduced even without this by using a tray liner with a hole. I can then use the tray normally, without any pass-though, should I choose.

I then created a cabinet, similar to those offered through this site but not as fancy, that supports the Litter Robot on a second tier and with a much larger waste bin than stock below. I’ve heard of those mounting their Litter Robot atop 55-gallon drums, though I expect they become difficult to empty .

2 – I have not done this, as it would require some work with weight sensors, though perhaps it could simply make use of the existing sensor. The unit could be designed, or fitted as an add-on, with a container behind and slightly higher than the bottom of the globe, which can keep the litter tray within a certain tolerance of fullness. The current sensor detects an over-weight condition, but, whether as-is or with modification or supplementation, could also detect an under-weight condition. When the sensor detects the unit to be under-weight, it could release sufficient fresh litter to return the unit to normal weight. Perhaps this could make use of the new bubble as a pass-though into the unit; if not, another pass-through would be needed.

Between these two modifications, neither of which should be difficult, the Litter Robot III could be self-sufficient for an extended period. Together with a large user-provided base container and automatic food and water dispensers, which are already available (but which Automated Pet Care Products could certainly improve and market in color-coordinated fashion), an owner could leave for a two-week or even month-long vacation without worries that the regular pet-sitter fails to provide proper care; such a sitter would not need to tend any issues, but only notify you in the rare event a problem occurs.

A tech-savvy but stingy owner could simply set up a webcam rather than pay a sitter/daily visitor. Though I would not recommend such with a single cat; he or she will get lonely quickly; I could do this since I have three cats that will entertain themselves.

Michael

Bristol, VA