But as long as the timer is set before the Sabbath, it would fall under the same exemption as "cooking a meal to be eaten on the Sabbath, knowing that the work is being done for the Sabbath, but since it doesn't actually fall on the Sabbath it's OK"

Considering the Eruv dates back to at least Roman times, I don't see the UO getting much traction. It's just to embedded in the cultural mindset. At best, they can try to get it back to referring only to places enclosed by walls.