Xiaomi unveiled a smart pet feeder with a camera and AI features. What is it good for?

The smart home is gradually expanding into pet care. After automatic fountains and self-cleaning litter boxes, it’s time for feeders that can not only dispense food but also monitor whether your pet has actually come to eat. Xiaomi has now introduced an improved version of the second generation of its smart feeder, this time with an integrated camera and AI features.

Integrated camera sees even at night

The main novelty compared to the previous model is a 5Mpx camera with a 150° ultra-wide-angle view. This allows it to capture the entire area around the bowl without you having to worry about the angle of rotation. For shooting in the dark, the camera features 940nm infrared illumination, which enables monitoring even at night without disruptive red light.

The feeder supports 24-hour real-time monitoring. For storing recordings, you can choose between local storage using a microSD card (16–128 GB) or paid cloud storage. The microSD card is not included in the package.

The feeder itself knows if the pet is eating

Xiaomi has integrated its AI recognition algorithms into the feeder. The device automatically detects when a pet approaches the bowl and can recognize if it is actually eating. This allows you to monitor your pet’s eating habits via the phone app and, if necessary, adjust portion sizes or feeding times.

The feeder supports Xiaomi HyperConnect technology, so you can connect it with other devices in the Xiaomi Home ecosystem. Control is done via the phone app, where you set the feeding schedule, portion sizes, and view camera recordings.

High-capacity dispenser

The dispenser holds 5 liters of dry food, which corresponds to approximately 2.5 kg of kibble. The feeder can handle kibble up to 18 mm in size and features automatic correction – if food gets stuck, the motor reverses itself and resolves the issue.

Xiaomi also considered food freshness. The dispenser uses a triple seal against moisture and also includes backup power in case of a power outage, ensuring the set feeding schedule is maintained.

Price and availability

The Mijia Smart Pet Feeder 2 Visual Edition enters crowdfunding on March 30 on the Xiaomi Youpin platform with a price of 449 yuan (approx. 1,400 CZK). The recommended retail price after the event will be 549 yuan (approximately 1,700 CZK). For now, it is a Chinese exclusive, and it is unclear whether the feeder will make its way to global markets.

Who is the feeder suitable for?

The feeder with a camera will be particularly appreciated by owners of cats and smaller dogs who spend a lot of time away from home and want to keep track of their pet’s eating habits. AI recognition and notifications will let you know when your pet has come to eat. Conversely, for those who are home most of the day or have multiple pets (who may take turns at one bowl), the added value of the camera may not be sufficient – in such a case, a cheaper version without a camera will suffice.

Would you use the camera monitoring feature on a pet feeder?

Sources: ITHome, Gizmochina, XiaomiTime