Kuba&Leia The LitterPod

LitterPod® - FAQ

When will the LitterPod® be available?

The short answer is, at some point in 2021. The more detailed answer is dependent on our ability to finance the manfacturing of the LitterPod®. At this point we have not started the manufactruing process. When we do, the lead time will be between five and seven months before we can start shipping to customers. We will be using every penny of profit we make from the BrushPod® to fund the build of the LitterPod®. The great news is we are ready to manufacture the LitterPod®. The product is real-world tested and is something we're really excited about. To be kept in the loop about progress be sure to sign up with us. 

What types of litter does it the LitterPod® work with?

The LitterPod® only works with clumping litter. It does not work with silica, pellet or non clupming litter types. It performs better with finer and heavier litters, but we have tested many types over the last three years. Lighter litter types can - from time to time - result in some build up of litter mess on the near side front of the unit. Thicker (large granules) litters don't sift through the rake as it passes as easily and as a result you can end up with excess litter being passed into the waste compartment. If in doubt, please contact us with your litter choice and we'll let you know how it performs.

What bags does the LitterPod® use?

You can use any standard sized carrier or grocery bag. The bag simply clips to the frame. Please note, the LitterPod® has been designed to hold seven litres of litter. As such it's essential the bag you use is at least seven litres or more, as if you use a smaller bag than this, when running a fully litter change, the bag will not be able to hold all the litter and it will spill back into the tray. We are considering offering specialist bags with the LitterPod®, but in the interest of being environmental, encourage you to use any unused plastic bags you may have in your house. Because cat litter is incinerated (and does not go to landfill), the plastic bag you use will also be incinerated with the litter. Many incineration plants have become super effieicent and re-using the heat to create new energy and are becoming more and more efficient. Of course this will vary country to country, so do check with you local council is in doubt.

How often do I need to empty the LitterPod® bag?

It depends on how many cats you have, the numbr of trays you have in the house and how often they go to the toilet. Kuba & Leia pretty much only use the LitterPod® now, so despute us having three tray in total we have to swap out the bag once every two to three days. We also fully clean and change the litter rougly once every 20 days.

How often should I run a full litter change?

This depends on what litter you use, how many cats you have and the frequency they use the LitterPod®.
Most litter brands will advise how often they recommend changing, with many suggesting every 30 days. Personally for Kuba & Leia we run at full change at least every 20 days. From time to time Leia may spray or spot wee on the waste comparment lid or the internal side panels, so we've got in the habit of checking for this and wiping down as required. The entire internal cabin evnrionment is made from highly resistant materials and can be easily cleaned at any time. One thing to flag, is to also keep an eye on the rake. The rake can be removed easily at anytime to be washed and cleaned. If your cat(s) suffer from the occasionaly loose stool or diarreah some residual can be left on the rake so we advise cleaning regularly. The rake is made form stainless steel so wil not rust.

How safe is the LitterPod®?

Very. The four weight sensors work in combination with the motion sensor above the entrance to esnure the rake doesn't move when a cat is in or near the LitterPod®. We have also developed a special code for the electronics where before any cleaning cycle the LitterPod® 'self diagnosis'. This checks to make sure all the weight sensor and motion sensor are responding. We've worked very hard to ensure the LitterPod® is super safe for cats.

How reliable is the LitterPod®?

We have develped multiple prototypes and test rigs over the last four years. The pre-prodcution versions continue to perform well and we have had no issues. Obviously, real world testing is something we have not been able to do yet as the LitterPod® is not yet on the market. But we have done everything we can to make the LitterPod® a simple, reliable and robust product. We have every confidence it will do you proud. Every LitterPod® come with a no quibble 12 month guarantee and we will also be offering every customer the option to upgrade there unit after a few years of owenrship. For more information click here.

How accurate are the weight sensors?

They are accurate to 50g. They also are sensitive enought to pick up a weight as little as 250g, meaning even the lightest kitten pawprint is picked up by the sensors to esnrue safety. We've been using the prototype we have at home (that Kuba & Leai use everyday) as a way to measure the weight of items before going to the Post Office! I nice side benefit.

How do I clean the LitterPod®?

Be sure to check out our video section on this. After you've run a full litter empty, the LitterPod® internal cabin and rake / plow can all be wiped down with soapy water. All componentns are made form stainless steel and ABS plastic so will not rust. Youre welcome to use any normal household detergent, but please remember that bleach in high concentration must be kept away from cats. Here a link to a video of James cleaning out the LitterPod®.

What are the dimensions and weight of the LitterPod®?

The LitterPod® weighs 16kg and is 596mm wide x 585mm high x 450mm deep.

Why is there no smart technology / bluetooth app?

It's important to stress that the LitterPod® has been designed to make our lives easier, but we must also have a relationship with our cat's toilets habits. Our philosphy is based on improving our cat's wellbeing, but this can't be achieved if the product becomes 100% autonomous. It's essential we as cat owners check the health of our cats stools, to regularly empty the waste bag and to comepltely change the litter and wipe down the LitterPod® at least once a month. We know that an app could measure frequency of use, or allow us to remotely run a cycle whenever we want, but in our experience this technology is still unreliable. We want the LitterPod® to be a robust and simple to use product - hence we designed it to have three buttons that do everything you need it to. Reast assured we're undertaking research and development and will likely add useful and purposeful technology as part of our upgrade programme in the future.

I previously pre-ordered / was an Indiegogo backer. Will you offer a discount when the LitterPod® is available?

First of all, thanks so much for getting behind us previously. Your support has been brilliant.
When we launch the LitterPod®, we will be doing so with a confirmed delivery date instead of the previous crowdfunding approach we tried early in 2020. So we'll only start taking orders when we're confident on having stock and shipping dates. Aside to this anyone who buys a Brushpod® will have a special LitterPod® discount voucher include. This will be at least the value of the BrushPod itself. We are also exploring a series of special discounts to anyone who has signed up with us.

How good is the LitterPod® at controlling smell / odor?

When designing any of our products we always focus on simplicity but also making sure anything we 'add' to the design has a purpose and is effective. For example we considered adding a carbon filter, but after testing saw no noticable difference in controlling smell. We looked at adding a baking soda compartment or some type of air freshner, but given cats sensitivity of smell we wated to avoid having any chemicals in or near the LitterPod®. Our key learning is based on a simple fact. Once your cat has done a poo in any litter tray, it smells immediately.

Of course some litters are better at caputring or maksing smell than others - so this is an imprtant consdieration. But for us, when desinging the LitterPod® the more quickly you can remove the poo or urine from the tray enviornment to the sealed waste compartment the better it is at controlling smell / odor.
This is why, with optimum litter clupming speed the LitterPod® can automatically run a cleaning cycle in as little as 60 seconds. You can of course control the delay timer to your needs (with settings anywhere between 60 seconds and seven minutes) - but the faster it runs a cycle the better it is at controlling smell.
The waste compartment also full seals agasint the tray and the waste bag. This means the only times the waste is exposed to the elements is for the five second window the compartment opens to deposit waste during a cycle and when you fuly remove and tie the bag for disposal.