This is just the same "cartridge with EEPROM" technique that's been prevalent in consumer printers for literally decades, so it's not surprising it was applied to a totally different product.
It's an ongoing cat-and-mouse(!) game. It used to be a simple counter like this, but now the printer manufacturers are starting to use (mild) crypto.
Yeah, except it could be argued that I need to print things, and might be willing to put up with print cartridge bullshit. [0] In this case, when the mouse goes, "I'm over here!", the cat is going to say "I've lost interest in the game" and scoop the cat shit by hand. A robotic cat box is a luxury, not a necessity, and when it fails on the "luxury" part (in that my life has been made easier and better), well, what the hell are they selling?
[0] Though in my particular case, the inkjet makers finally drove me to a B&W laser printer. Lost that one, too, mice.
> A robotic cat box is a luxury, not a necessity, and when it fails on the "luxury" part
It doesn't really fail on "luxury" part, it simply exploits the fact that if you can afford a luxury cat shit robot, you can also afford buying expensive, DRMed consumables on a regular schedule. Uncharitably, it's parting fools from their money. Charitably, it's making money on your opportunity cost.
It's an ongoing cat-and-mouse(!) game. It used to be a simple counter like this, but now the printer manufacturers are starting to use (mild) crypto.