Is this the ultimate cat toy? Intelligent 'companion' mimics small animals to keep your feline company

  • Egg cat companion is fitted with a motor that makes it roll across the floor
  • Sensors also mean it can shake, make cut sounds and avoid obstacles
  • It can be charged by USB and will last for a day on a single charge
  • First run models of the toy are set to cost a staggering $125 (£76)

By Victoria Woollaston

PUBLISHED: 13:29 EST, 7 January 2014 | UPDATED: 14:08 EST, 7 January 2014

All of our gadgets and toys are getting smarter so it was only a matter of time before pet toys developed a mind of their own.

The Egg cat companion is fitted with a motor and sensors that mean it can roll across the floor, shake and make cute sounds, and move out of the way of obstacles.

By mimicking a small animal, the rechargeable toy can chase your pet and keep it entertained for hours.

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The Egg cat companion, pictured, is fitted with a motor and sensors that mean it can roll across the floor, shake and make cute sounds, and move out of the way of obstacles. It was designed by cat-owner Jason O'Mara from Oregon and is made using a 3D-printed shell

The Egg cat companion, pictured, is fitted with a motor and sensors that mean it can roll across the floor, shake and make cute sounds, and move out of the way of obstacles. It was designed by cat-owner Jason O'Mara from Oregon and is made using a 3D-printed shell

HOW DOES EGG WORK?

Egg

Inside Egg is a gearmotor that turns an offset weight.

This changes Egg's centre of gravity making the toy roll forward or backward.

An on-board angular sensor fitted to the circuit board adjusts to different floor types, human and cat  obstacles.

The built-ion battery can be charged using a standard USB cable and a single charge is said to last 24 hours. 

It can also be programmed to perform different activities when connected to a laptop.

However, the first run of custom-made toys is set to cost considerably more than a traditional ball of yarn at around $125 (£76), although official pricing hasn’t been announced.

 

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The Egg is the brain child of cat-owner Jason O’Mara from Oregon and is made using a 3D-printed shell.

O’Mara set up a Kickstarter project on Boxing Day in order to raise $15,000 (£9,150) in funding but has already smashed that target.

The current figure is $72,550 (£42,240) and the campaign closes on 25 January.

Inside Egg is a gearmotor that turns an offset weight.

This changes Egg's centre of gravity making the toy roll forwards and backwards.

An on-board angular sensor fitted to the circuit board adjusts to different floor types and can recognise obstacles.

The built-ion battery can be charged using a standard USB cable and a single charge is said to last 24 hours.  

The first run of toys is set to cost considerably more than a traditional ball of yarn at around $125 (£76), although official pricing hasn't been announced. The campaign closes on 25 January

The first run of toys is set to cost considerably more than a traditional ball of yarn at around $125 (£76), although official pricing hasn't been announced. The campaign closes on 25 January

Egg can also be programmed to perform different activities when connected to a laptop.

According to O’Mara: ‘Pet stores offer you cheap and rather uninteresting balls, things-on-strings, and noise makers that entertain for a few minutes, and then end up under your couch, ne'er to be seen again.

‘We've bought many of these toys ourselves, and - just like you - face the disappointment on our cats' faces.
‘We're ready to rock their socks off and move into the next generation of cat entertainment.’

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My cat loves the plastic lids from tubes of Pringles. Much cheaper and we both get a treat. .

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Mine has so many toys, all the latest like Thingamastring and laser toys and her favourite is...... a small screwed up piece of paper. She will chase it for hours and carry it around all day.

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Or you can tie a ball /small stick / small toy with a thread and let it dangle for a certain height , my cat's fav one and keeps him entertained for hours. An unused phone charger works like a charm too !! Much cheaper and more reasonable :)

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I hope my mother in law doesn't see this; she'll be straight on the phone buying one for her spoilt and overly pampered cat.

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My cat loves the little laser toy I bought for $5,it's shaped like a whistle,and all you do is press the little button.

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Dangle a laser pen from a piece of string and swing it, shining on the carpet. It amuses our two for hours.

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I've had a battery operated mouse in a bag for years. Five quid.

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or a piece string with a small wing of cardboard tied to one end and the other to a door handle..hey presto!!...more beer money

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I bought a battery operated ball that rolls around and makes a buzzing noise. My two cats were interested in it the first day, but after that ignored it. They like it when I control a wand with a soft toy attached. They run and jump in the air after it. When catching it, they run away with it. Soft balls that they can pat and chase around is another favourite.

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Adopt another cat from the shelter. Have it fixed. Everyone wins.

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