Practical or futile? The connected objects that have integrated our daily lives are increasingly interested in our four-legged companions. From the GPS collar to find your pet, to the apartment robot to entertain it when you’re away, to the self-cleaning cat litter that alerts us when our tomcat has done its business, the imagination is definitely not lacking. on the side of the manufacturers, who play on our attachment to our 50 million friends to seduce! 20 minutes did its shopping and selected five of these sometimes unusual pieces of equipment.
The GPS collar to track your animal: Pet Tracker, from Invoxia
The fear of losing a pet that has run away is that of all owners of furry animals. the Pet Tracker of Invoxia is a tracking of 15 grams (42 x 24 x 17 mm) which attaches to the collar of his animal or to an attachment offered as an option. With its six-month battery life, the small appendix allows you to track your companion by receiving notifications about their location, but above all to be alerted if they leave a predefined geographical area in a application. 119 euros.
Our opinion : Developed by the French from Invoxia, this tracker remains a benchmark for tracking your animal. Without a SIM card (unlike other trackers), it uses the low-speed communications network to operate. After three years of use, a subscription (9.99 euros/year) is required to continue using it. Batches of colored silicone ties are available for 15 euros.
The robot that plays and feeds our companions: Rocki, from Obexx
Mounted on its four wheels, the little robot rocky (18.5 x 18.5 x 20.5 cm for 1.5 kg) has different functions: stream in Wifi and in Full HD on your smartphone, images of your animal; communicate with him with the built-in microphone/speaker; make him play using his laser pointer; and even reward him with treats. This robot is battery-operated, with an autonomy in use of up to five hours. 199 euros.
Our opinion : It could be a Christmas gift for your little friend! Like straight out of a SF movie, this robot is extremely maneuverable with its omnidirectional wheels that allow it to turn on itself. Rocki is able to circulate on carpets, and even to climb small slopes up to 15° inclination. Please note that it only works on iOS, i.e. with Apple products.
The bowl that quenches the thirst of cats and small dogs: Smart Pet Fountain, from Xiaomi
With its circular water circuit, the Smart Pet Fountain ensures your pet always has clear, healthy water. Its principle: that of a large water bowl, constantly filtered using activated carbon, and in motion (it simulates natural runoff). From the application, it is possible to manage the power supply (continuous, or in episodic mode), but also to be alerted if it is necessary to add water and clean the filter. 79 euros.
Our opinion : The Petcube Bites 2 Lite uses the principle of the Furbo camera launched five years ago. Simple to install, practical and fun, the device remains quite a gadget and has a guilt-free effect with pet owners who have left their furry animals alone at home. Fun, it is possible to manage the distance to throw treats according to the impulse that you will apply with the index finger on the screen of your smartphone. And watch out: a subscription is required to unlock some features (video history, chat with veterinarian – in English –…).
The luxury self-cleaning litter box: LavvieBot S, from PurrSong, Inc.
The chore of cleaning the cat(s) litter box may just be a thing of the past thanks to LavvieBot S. With a tank that can store the equivalent of three weeks of litter (up to 6 litres), the device performs its own self-cleaning each time the cat passes by: the excrement is sieved and filtered, then pushed into a separate bin where the ‘we will have placed a garbage bag, while clean litter comes to replace that evacuated. A deodorant even protects against bad odors for two months! 800 euros.
Our opinion : Given the size of this litter (70.4 cm in height, for 58.2 cm in depth and 49.5 cm in width), but above all its price, one can obviously wonder about the relevance of such a device in our lives… and that of our furry animals. Still, it is well thought out. Let’s add that the entry of the LavvieBot S can detect up to three tomcats thanks to their weight and alert, via an application, of their passage through the small corner. Enough to monitor the duration and frequency of use, especially if they have urinary problems…