Introduction: The Evolution of Smart Pet Care and Plant Care
For busy people, companion cats and houseplants bring energy and joy to everyday life. Yet commuting, business trips, and travel can make consistent care difficult. As of 2025, AI-based care solutions are growing so rapidly that CES 2025 even added a new “Pet Technology & Animal Welfare” category in the pet-tech track. This guide introduces the latest AI devices and apps that help you manage cats and plants more intelligently, with a practical, hands-on focus.
1. AI Smart Devices for Cats
AI-Powered Automatic Feeders
Key products & features
- Varram Milly recommends a personalized daily calorie intake and calculates calories by kibble type for tailored feeding. You can receive real-time alerts about when and how much your cat ate, so you can relax while you’re away.
- Purrspock “Bit-Eye” provides a 2K high-definition camera to clearly monitor the bowl and an anti-blocking mechanism that keeps food dispensing smooth and stable for continuous feeding.
Practical tips
- Personalized portions: Calculate daily calories by age, weight, and activity level, then distribute automatically.
- “Yum-yum report”: Analyze eating patterns to check overall health.
- Remote monitoring: View live video and interact via two-way audio in the app.
- Multi-cat homes: Use individual identification and personalized portions for each cat.
What to Consider When Buying
- Wi-Fi compatibility: Most smart feeders support 2.4 GHz networks only—confirm your home setup before purchase.
- Kibble size limits: Each device recommends a kibble size (typically 2–13 mm). Check compatibility with your current food.
- Fully washable parts: For hygiene, choose a model that can be completely disassembled.
AI Healthcare Monitoring Devices
- Petpuls is an AIoT device that collects and recognizes a dog’s vocal and activity data. Worn on your dog, it analyzes the data and reports emotional states (calm, anxious, angry, sad, happy) in the app.
- BrainU introduced VET CAI, a veterinary EEG-based anesthesia depth monitor. With built-in AI cameras, it recognizes breeds and assesses health conditions in real time.
2. AI Apps for Plant Care
Groo — Korea’s leading plant-care app
Core features
Groo offers four AI-based solutions:
- AI Plant ID: Identifies species and provides care instructions.
- AI Plant Diagnosis: Checks plant condition and recommends actions.
- AI Plant Recommendations: Suggests plants suitable for your indoor environment.
- AI Plant Chat: Real-time consultation via chat.
How to use
- Register plants: Take a photo; AI automatically identifies the species.
- Personalized guides: Watering, sunlight, temperature—tailored to each plant.
- Watering alerts: Smart reminders that consider weather and season.
- Growth log: Keep a diary; your “AI plant” can even “comment” back.
Users report high satisfaction: “I used to forget watering, but the scheduler keeps me on track.”
Planta — Global plant-care app
Highlights
With 2 million users and 8 million plants, Planta sends smart care alerts based on species, region, weather, and room lighting.
Practical features
- Light meter: Measure light in each spot at home to match plants to locations.
- Growth journal: Track progress with photos and notes.
- Step-by-step guides: Beginner-friendly care instructions.
- Plant scanner: Snap a photo to get the name and care methods instantly.
PictureThis — High-accuracy plant identification
PictureThis identifies more than 1,000,000 plants per day with over 98% accuracy. It answers gardening questions and acts like a pocket expert to help you garden with confidence.
Plantgram — Community-driven app
Plantgram recommends plants with conditions similar to those you’ve registered (watering, sunlight, temperature) and suggests options that fit your lifestyle (busy schedules, pets at home, low-light apartments).
Special features
- Local plant exchange: Chat with neighbors for quick, easy trades.
- QR code management: Convenient, intuitive per-plant tracking.
- Per-plant boards: Share information with others and get expert advice.
3. AI Indoor Growers — Automation at Its Best
Smart indoor planters
An AI indoor grower that received a CES 2025 Innovation Award uses AI and agricultural big data. Insert a seed capsule and the AI camera recognizes the variety, monitors growth in real time, and automatically controls temperature, humidity, and light.
Use cases
- Herbs: Keep basil, mint, and parsley fresh year-round.
- Salad greens: Grow lettuce and arugula indoors.
- Ornamentals: Maintain air-purifying plants under optimal conditions.
4. App Selection Guide: Recommendations by Goal
For plant-care beginners
- Groo: Korean UI, intuitive, AI chat support
- Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
- Price: Free core features; premium available
For structured management (intermediate)
- Planta: Detailed schedules, growth journal
- Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
- Price: Free trial + subscription
For high-accuracy identification (advanced)
- PictureThis: 98%+ recognition accuracy
- Difficulty: ★★★★☆
- Price: Premium subscription recommended
For community-focused users
- Plantgram: Plant exchange, active boards
- Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
- Price: Free
5. Building an Integrated Smart Home
Combined cat + plant management
Morning automation
- Smart feeder dispenses breakfast automatically.
- Plant-care app sends watering reminders.
- IoT sensors check indoor humidity and temperature.
- Humidifier and air purifier activate as needed.
Out-of-home monitoring
- Watch live video of your cat on your phone.
- Snap plant photos for instant AI diagnosis.
- Dispense treats remotely via the feeder.
- Receive low-water alerts and handle after you return.
Data-driven health management
- Analyze your cat’s eating patterns to catch issues early.
- Track plant growth to find optimal conditions.
- Review weekly/monthly reports to spot trends.
6. Real User Stories
Case 1: Office worker A (2 cats)
Problem: Frequent late nights made dinner feeding inconsistent.
Solution:
- Installed two Varram Milly units
- Set calorie targets per cat
- Switched to four small portions per day
Result: Reduced overeating, lower obesity risk, peace of mind on late nights.
Case 2: Single resident B (15 plants)
Problem: Frequent business trips led to plants drying out.
Solution:
- Registered all plants in Groo
- Set watering alerts
- Prepared a pre-trip checklist
Result: Survival rate improved from 30% → 95%; easier to ask family for help during trips.
Case 3: Newlyweds C (1 cat + 8 plants)
Problem: No caretaker during a two-week honeymoon.
Solution:
- Installed a large-capacity smart feeder + water fountain
- Shared app access with parents (remote monitoring)
- Set automatic irrigation + light timers for plants
Result: Real-time checks while traveling; care stayed perfectly on track.
7. Cost Analysis: Value for Money
Cat-care devices
Initial investment
- Smart feeder: ₩100,000–₩300,000
- Smart water fountain: ₩50,000–₩150,000
- AI health device: ₩100,000–₩500,000
Savings
- Pet sitter costs: save ₩50,000–₩100,000 per trip
- Optimized food use: save ₩20,000–₩30,000 per month
- Early detection lowers vet bills: save ₩100,000–₩500,000 per year
Payback period: ~6–12 months
Plant-care apps
Cost
- Free apps cover basic needs
- Subscriptions: ₩3,000–₩10,000 / month
Savings
- Fewer plant replacements: save ₩20,000–₩50,000 / month
- Lower expert consult costs: ₩30,000–₩50,000 per session
- Less trial-and-error = time saved
Recommendation: Start with free versions; upgrade if needed.
8. Troubleshooting: Common Issues & Fixes
Smart feeders
- Issue 1: Won’t connect to Wi-Fi
Fix: Confirm 2.4 GHz network, place near the router, reinstall the app. - Issue 2: Kibble jams
Fix: Follow the recommended kibble size, clean regularly, avoid overly oily food. - Issue 3: Cat is afraid of the feeder
Fix: Begin with sound off and manual feeding; gradually acclimate; use favorite treats.
Plant-care apps
- Issue 1: Misidentification
Fix: Take sharp photos from multiple angles, show leaf features clearly, compare across apps. - Issue 2: Overwatering despite alerts
Fix: Alerts are guides—check soil with your finger and adjust to your environment. - Issue 3: Vague AI diagnosis
Fix: Pair with community/expert advice; upload clearer, more detailed photos.
9. Trends & Outlook for 2025
Pet-tech evolution
At CES 2025, five innovation awards (including LG Electronics) went to pet-life products. We’ll see integrated solutions that go beyond feeding—health monitoring, disease prediction, and personalized nutrition.
What to expect
- AI veterinarian features: Enter symptoms and receive real-time triage and guidance on clinic visits.
- DNA-based personalized care: Diets and routines tailored to each pet’s genome.
- Advanced emotion recognition: Measure stress via facial expressions and behavior patterns.
Plant-tech growth
According to the Rural Development Administration, Korea’s home-gardening market was about ₩60 billion in 2020 and was projected to reach ₩500 billion by 2023—roughly 8× growth.
Future tech
- Fully automated indoor farms: AI + IoT manage water, nutrients, and light end-to-end.
- Plant health prediction: Big-data models prevent pests and diseases in advance.
- AR guidance: Real-time pruning and repotting instructions via augmented reality.
10. Pre-Purchase Checklists
For cat smart devices
✅ Network: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi available
✅ Power: Battery backup for outages
✅ App compatibility: iOS/Android support; check app reviews
✅ Noise level: Choose low-noise models for sensitive cats
✅ Capacity: Match hopper/tank size to your trip length
✅ Service: Confirm domestic after-sales service (A/S)
For plant-care apps
✅ Language: Interface and guide language support
✅ Database: Includes the species you grow
✅ Community: Active Q&A and fast responses
✅ Offline mode: Basic features without internet
✅ Free tier scope: How much you can do without paying
✅ Privacy: How photos and location data are handled
Conclusion: Happier Co-Living Through Smart Care
AI devices and apps don’t replace care—they enable us to care better. Technology takes over repetitive tasks and monitoring, while love and bonding are still ours to give.
Step-by-step starter plan
- Step 1 — Assess your situation: Identify pain points (forgetfulness, overwatering, travel worries, etc.).
- Step 2 — Prioritize: Solve the most urgent issue first (feeder → app → integrated system).
- Step 3 — Start small: Try one or two tools and measure impact.
- Step 4 — Expand gradually: If satisfied, broaden to other areas.
- Step 5 — Use your data: Refine routines using accumulated insights.
Even in a busy life, AI helps keep your cat healthy and your plants thriving. Choose one solution now and take your first step into smart care—your whole household will enjoy a happier daily routine.
Recommended starter setups
- Minimal (around ₩150,000): Smart feeder + Groo (free)
- Intermediate (around ₩300,000): Smart feeder + water fountain + Planta Premium
- Full (₩500,000+): Feeder + fountain + health device + AI indoor grower + paid apps
Which setup will you choose to begin your smart-care journey?
ai pet camera / ai plant care