Introducing the latest innovation in feline care, Whisker has unveiled the Litter-Robot 5 Pro, the newest addition to their acclaimed self-cleaning litter box lineup. Known for the impressive Litter-Robot 4, Whisker has now stepped up its game by incorporating facial recognition technology to their offerings. This cutting-edge feature aims to enhance your pet’s bathroom experience, while the optional Whisker Plus subscription provides comprehensive monitoring of your cat’s bathroom habits. The company suggests that this service could be vital in identifying behavioral changes and health concerns early on.

However, this technological advancement comes with a price tag. The Litter-Robot 5 Pro is marked at $899, and if you opt for the Whisker Plus subscription, it will cost an additional $7.99 per month, or $79.99 annually. This model is equipped with two AI-powered cameras, each fitted with night vision. One camera is dedicated to recognizing your cat’s face, while the other keeps an eye on its waste.

In addition to the Pro model, Whisker has also introduced two other versions this week: the Litter-Robot 5, priced at $799, and the slightly more economical Litter-Robot Evo, available for $599. These models are now open for pre-order on Whisker.com and are expected to ship by November 3rd.

All three models feature a redesigned hardware system, which includes a new control panel with an LCD display. This update aims to reduce the dependency on the app or the need to decipher flashing lights for status updates. Whisker asserts that the 5 series models are capable of distinguishing between urine and feces, allowing for quicker disposal of the latter to enhance odor control. With a larger waste bin, users will find themselves emptying it less frequently.

The primary distinction between the 5 and the 5 Pro models lies in the camera features. The Pro version integrates seamlessly with the new Whisker PetTag, priced at $29. This RFID tag assists the robot in identifying pets more accurately, especially helpful for owners of look-alike kitties. The PetTag also serves as a digital ID, featuring a QR code for easy pet recovery. Both the 5 and the 5 Pro can accommodate up to five cats, surpassing the capacity of the Litter-Robot 4 by one.

The dual-camera system in the Pro model, consisting of a forward-facing camera for facial recognition and an interior-facing camera for monitoring the litter bed, is designed to provide precise activity tracking. Subscribers to Whisker Plus can access and save video recordings of their cat’s visits to the litter box, ensuring they stay informed about their pet’s habits. However, privacy-conscious kitties might be disappointed to learn there’s no opting out of this feature.

The Litter-Robot Evo is the company’s cheapest robot at $599. It’s smaller, can accommodate up to two cats, and doesn’t have some of the fancier features of the Litter-Robot 4, such as automatic night lights or litter-level sensing. But it does have a new LCD display. The Litter-Robot 4 will continue to be sold at $699.

All the robots connect to the Whisker app, where you can initiate cycling remotely, get usage alerts, and get activity and weight tracking for each kitty. For the daily insights, trend and behavior tracking — and video footage — you need to upgrade to Whisker Plus.

Some of The Verge’s kitties will be putting these new bots to the test to see if this is AI gone too far or tech that could actually help keep your pet healthy.