OK, so a cloud-connected litter box isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the "Internet of Things." But the creators of Tailio, which is just that, point out that a cat's litter box habits can be very revealing of its health, and may save you a trip to the vet. Tailio is essentially a smart scale that sits under the cats' normal litter box, weighing the cat whenever it drops by — and, of course, whatever they leave behind. It sends the info to a companion app on your phone, and you can share it on Facebook and Twitter, though your friends might not be particularly interested.
After establishing the cat's baselines and patterns (for multiple felines if you have them), it can tell you when they deviate from them, going to the bathroom more often than usual or gaining weight. It also lets you know how long it's been since the box has been cleaned, but you'll still need to do that yourself (there are automatic ones, though). Right now Tailio is on Kickstarter, aiming to raise $30,000, and you can pick one up for as low as $99. The retail price will almost certainly be significantly higher.
IN-DEPTH
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