Litter-Robot is a gravity-driven sifting automatic litter box manufactured and distributed by Whisker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
History
editLitter-Robot was first released in 2000.[1] Brad Baxter, who brought the product to market, licensed an existing patent and developed the device.[1] He funded the first generation of the Litter-Robot with an investment from his parents.[2] Baxter sold the Litter-Robot online directly to consumers, and the business became profitable in 2005.[3]
There have been four iterations of the Litter-Robot since its release.[4] Litter-Robot 2 and Litter-Robot 3 launched in 2005 and 2015, respectively. In 2017, the company released its first WiFi-enabled unit, Litter-Robot 3 Connect.[5]
In 2019, Litter-Robot manufacturer Whisker (formerly AutoPets)[6] raised $31 million in growth equity financing from Chicago-based Pondera Holdings LLC.[3] The company completed a $10 million investment to expand its manufacturing plant in Juneau, Wisconsin, in 2022.[7]
The latest iteration of the product, Litter-Robot 4, was released in 2022. [8] Whisker announced in 2023 that 1 million Litter-Robot units have been sold since the company’s inception. [7]
Litter-Robot is designed, assembled, and serviced in the United States and sold in more than 20 countries, including the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, and much of the European Union.[9][10] Whisker has 65+ global patents and more than 575 full-time employees in the United States, including a team of 60+ engineers.[5]
Reception
editGood Housekeeping called Litter-Robot 4 “the best overall self-cleaning litter box.”[11] It was awarded as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022.[12] The Spruce Pets rated Litter-Robot 4 the “best overall” automatic litter box with 4.8 stars. [13] Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards named Litter-Robot 4 the best self-cleaning litter box of 2024.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b Baute, Nicole (April 9, 2010). "Litter-robot does the dirty work so you don't have to". Toronto Star.
- ^ ""I Invented That!"". Modern Cat. 2018-04-10. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ a b "$31 million growth equity investment fuels expansion for maker of Litter-Robot cat box". Crain's Detroit Business. 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ Giordano, Medea (2022-09-24). "Review: Whisker Litter-Robot 4". WIRED. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ a b "The litter box that changed it all". Litter-Robot.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ Miller, Zack (2021-11-04). "This Founder Cut Ties With Amazon Based on a Tip From His Dad. Now the Business Is Thriving--and With Better Margins". Inc. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
- ^ a b King, R.J. (2023-01-05). "Whisker in Auburn Hills Expands Pet Care Offerings, Completes $10M Investment". DBusiness. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ Suarez, Ana (2022-05-10). "Whisker just unveiled a smaller, sleeker Litter-Robot". SF Gate. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ Fifelski, Anna (2023-11-17). "This Auburn Hills startup is reinventing the litter box". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "Litter-Robot around the world". Litter-Robot.com. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ Redmile, Lynn; Hartshorn, Jessica; Forte, Carolyn; Institute, Good Housekeeping (2023-03-15). "3 Best Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes for a Happy Cat". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ Duggan, Jennifer (2022-11-10). "Cleaner Cats Whisker Litter-Robot 4". TIME. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ Whalen, Andrew; Fischl, Marla; Parrish, Regine (2023-02-24). "The 5 Best Automatic Litter Boxes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed". The Spruce Pets. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ "Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards: Home". Forbes. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-02-27.