Addressing Joint Issues: Initial User Feedback

Just over a month after the first batch of goods was delivered, a cargo ship carrying 500 units arrived in the United States, and customers started receiving their products. As the products made their way into users' communities and emails, a series of feedback started pouring in.

Indentation on Silicone Bowls The first issue arose from packaging, leading to the indentation and tearing of silicone bowls. While our drop tests far exceeded the international standard of 1.2 meters by using a 2.4-meter drop, the actual transportation's prolonged vibration during simulated long-distance shipping caused the silicone bowls to be punctured by an edge of the litter box. Among the over 50 feedback posts in the Facebook community, more than 13 reported this issue, humorously calling it "TEAR."

Subsequently, we redesigned the packaging stacking method and ensured that products sent out later passed vibration tests.

Addressing Urine Leakage from the Ball Casing Another concern was that when cats urinated, the urine would seep through the silicone bowl, flow along the gaps of the ball casing, and reach the gear slots on the main casing. This caused the casing's measurement ring to be immersed in urine. As the ball casing rotated, the measurement ring would transport the urine, spreading it across the exterior of the white ball casing. Not only did this create an unpleasant sight, but the odor was also unpleasant.

Initially, we attempted to seal the gaps between the silicone bowl and the ball casing, as some backers had suggested using adhesive to prevent urine from entering the measurement ring slot. However, after numerous attempts, all proved futile, with no viable solution for stable mass production. As a compromise, we introduced a minor gap on the ball casing and a rectangular slit at the lowest point of the main casing's gear slot. This allowed urine to flow directly into the litter box when a cat urinated.

Side Leakage of Litter Blocks Users reported litter blocks appearing on the floor behind AIMICAT. This issue stemmed from the inadequacy of the litter dumping program, which lacked sufficient time and opportunity for the litter to fall into the collection area and for the sticky silicone bowl to hold the litter. Consequently, litter blocks fell during the ball casing's repositioning and became lodged between the casing and the main body. As the ball casing rotated, the litter blocks were ejected. This issue was later addressed through programming.

Summary: The instability during the first batch's circuit board production resulted in some users receiving products that were unable to filter or dispose of waste, rendering the devices useless. Regrettably, one user even discarded the product directly into the trash bin. This was disheartening for us, as our goal was to create something valuable, not disposable. However, our limited capabilities contributed to this unfortunate outcome. Despite this, we have continued iterating on AIMICAT's product and optimizing its production. For instance, we invested significant effort in eliminating issues related to internal parts' improper installation.

Beyond these challenges and problems, we are immensely grateful for the support and feedback from our initial users. Your valuable insights helped us identify and address product issues, making AIMICAT better. Despite the difficulties encountered during design and manufacturing, we persistently strive to offer a more reliable and optimized product. Your trust and support drive us forward, and we remain committed to making AIMICAT the perfect companion for you and your pets. Thank you for joining AIMICAT's journey of growth. We look forward to continuing to bring you more surprises and satisfaction.