The Neakasa M1 is a cat litter box that stands out not only because of its open design, but also because of its self-cleaning function. This means that cat owners don’t have to clean the litter box as frequently as before.
Smart cat litter boxes have been a topic for a few years now – which is hardly surprising, since smart home devices are constantly opening up new areas and are also designed to make life easier for pets. The Neakasa M1 is a new cat litter box is one such device that is currently being funded via Indiegogo. The campaign got off to an extremely successful start, raising US$100,000 within just one hour. Supporters will be eligible to purchase a model for US$274, with delivery scheduled for December.
This is an open cat litter box, which is supposed to be advantageous for cats of all sizes – four-legged friends weighing up to 10 kg shouldn’t pose an issue for the Neakasa M1. In addition, the risk of trapped cats is said to be significantly lower. Four weight sensors are supposed to be able to reliably detect the presence of cats and automatically pause any cleaning operation, waiting 15 seconds after the cat leaves before resuming.
Cleaning takes place via a “Pull & Wrap” solution: residue lands directly in a 11.2 L garbage bag, which users simply take out of the waste tray underneath. The model is also said to be characterized by very low noise levels, maxing out at 50 dB and not scaring cats or disturbing people unnecessarily. The system also uses an app to provide information about cat litter levels and is programmed to recognize different cats.
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.
Growing up in regional Australia, I first became acquainted with computers in my early teens after a broken leg from a football (soccer) match temporarily condemned me to a predominately indoor lifestyle. Soon afterwards I was building my own systems. Now I live in Germany, having moved here in 2014, where I study philosophy and anthropology. I am particularly fascinated by how computer technology has fundamentally and dramatically reshaped human culture, and how it continues to do so.