Coming to Kickstarter
Hanakuto is an open-top smart litter box that cleans after use, tracks each cat’s visits, and gives large, senior, and mobility-limited cats a lower, roomier way in.
DESIGNED AROUND THE CAT
Many automatic litter boxes work well for the average cat. Hanakuto makes more room for the cats who are too often asked to adapt.
Open space to enter, turn, dig, and leave without squeezing into a drum.
A lower step-in for cats who may not move as easily as they once did.
A clear, open route with no high entrance or overhead enclosure.
THE CATS BEHIND HANAKUTO
Hanakuto started at home. As Big Mao grew older, raised entrances became harder to manage. Little Orange, who lost a leg after an accident, needed a clear way in without a jump.
The automatic boxes we found asked them to climb into a high, enclosed drum. Tight turning space, tracked litter, sticking mess, and outright refusal could turn a convenience into daily stress—and sometimes an accident on the sofa or bed.
So we began with their movement, not the machine: a low entrance, an open view, room to turn, quieter cleaning, and a basin made for easier everyday care. That became Hanakuto.
MEET HANAKUTO
Hanakuto cleans after each visit while its open basin gives cats up to 22 lb room to enter, turn, dig, and leave. No rotating chamber. No high climb.
Explore the smart features →
DESIGNED FROM REAL PROBLEMS
Each design choice responds to something cats—or the people who care for them—deal with every day.
The 7.5-inch entrance reduces the need to jump, while the front step helps catch litter on the way out.
The open basin fits cats up to 22 lb, without a drum taking away usable space.
No overhead enclosure, plus quieter operation to help automatic cleaning feel less intimidating.
The 304 stainless steel basin is designed to resist sticking and rinse clean more easily than textured plastic.
Photocatalytic odor control works without ozone, while a pull-tie liner helps contain waste in the drawer.
Full-perimeter safety sensing pauses the mechanism when a cat approaches or returns during cleaning.
SMART, EVERYDAY CARE
Separates clumps and moves them into a lined, pull-tie drawer.
Records visit frequency and duration for each cat.
Safety sensing stops cleaning when a cat comes close.
FROM IDEA TO WORKING SYSTEM
We built in stages so we could test the things that matter: access, usable space, strength, cleaning, control, and safety.
Low entry, open view, and usable turning space.
Waste separation, removable parts, and daily upkeep.
Approach sensing, stop logic, and control behavior.
Cat recognition, visit records, and app experience.
DEVELOPED FOR DAILY USE
From 3D-printed prototypes to molded parts and software tuning, every version brought us closer to one goal: dependable care, day after day.
Motors · gears · control board · buttons · display · light strip · cleaning blade · basin · safety sensing
DURABILITY TESTING
Our validation plan covers the systems that do the daily work, from the drive and cleaning path to controls and safety response.
Motors, metal gears, alignment, and repeated cleaning cycles.
Blade wear, basin release, and rinse-clean access.
Control board, buttons, display, and status lighting.
Approach detection, stop response, and recovery logic.
AI VISIT INSIGHTS
See which cat used the box, when, and for how long. The app is designed to highlight changes in established routines—helpful context for everyday care, especially with older cats. It does not replace veterinary advice.
Illustrative app concept. The planned camera angle is intended to frame the litter area rather than the wider room.
OPEN VS. ENCLOSED
Prototype targets shown. Final campaign specifications and supported features will be confirmed before launch.
BEFORE WE LAUNCH
Our pre-launch evaluation focuses on the moments cat parents actually notice at home.
Do large, senior, cautious, and mobility-limited cats enter without being lifted?
Can a large cat turn, dig, and leave comfortably?
Does the cleaning cycle avoid startling cats in daily use?
Are odor control, waste removal, and basin cleaning practical for the person caring for them?
KICKSTARTER PREVIEW
Join the list for our launch date, final rewards, and confirmed shipping details.
Join the Kickstarter list →1 × Hanakuto · 2-year warranty
Prototype specifications and planned campaign terms. Final pricing, features, shipping, and timing may change before launch.GOOD TO KNOW
Yes. Hanakuto is designed to separate clumps after use and move them into a lined waste drawer.
Yes. The 7.5-inch step-in reduces jumping, while the open top keeps the way in and out clear.
No. Core cleaning controls are built into Hanakuto. The planned app adds remote access and cat-specific visit insights.
Hanakuto is being developed for common clumping litter, including bentonite and tofu litter. Final compatibility guidance will be confirmed before launch.
Full-perimeter safety sensing is designed to stop the mechanism when a cat approaches and keep it paused until the area is clear.
Photocatalytic odor control works without ozone, while the pull-tie liner helps contain waste before you open the drawer.
COMING TO KICKSTARTER
Get the campaign link and planned early-bird details as soon as Hanakuto goes live.