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Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro review: This $900 litter box may be almost too high-tech for me
The camera uses artificial intelligence to detect which cat is which, and even has night mode. I can clearly see that Norbert walked into the litter box at 3 a.m., and then Gilligan used it at 5:30 a.m. I can also see them approaching the box before entering, which came in handy for identifying a slight limp Gilligan had that I had not initially noticed. (I took him to the vet to make sure he wasn’t really hurt.) However, the AI has taken a while to properly identify my cats, and it is still learning even after 2.5 months of use.
However, there are a couple of quirks with all these new features. While the waste ID does indicate when a cat has gone #2, it shows the ounces gone only about 30% of the time. Similarly, I thought the AI algorithm for the camera would be able to identify each of my cats by now, after a few months, but I still have to teach it which cat is which.
Whisker says it is working on a new algorithm update for both features, set to be completed by mid-April, that will drastically improve both experiences, including a new core root embedding to improve cat face recognition and better utilize data from built-in gas sensors for more accurate Waste ID.
Review: My cat Norbert gives this automatic wet food feeder two paws up
I’ve been mostly impressed with both these features so far, but I am excited for these new updates to really see how they can reach their full potential. That’s also why you should hold off on buying one if you’re hoping to use the newer capabilities right out of the box. We never recommend products based on the promise of future updates.
ZDNET’s buying advice
With all these high-tech upgrades, the Litter-Robot 5 Pro is the most expensive model Whisker has made to date, at $899. If you think about it, a human toilet costs $200-$500, so it’s definitely a hard pill to swallow for some pet parents. But if you’re anything like me, you always want the best for your pets, and having peace of mind is priceless.
The Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro is $100 less and still has Waste ID. And I still recommend the Litter-Robot 4