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Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
The idea of this project comes from a real problem that many pet owners especially cat owners face leaving their pets alone at home for long periods due to work, errands, or travel. This creates a challenge in managing basic tasks like feeding or providing water on time.
That's why the purpose of this project is to automate and simplify the process of feeding and hydrating pets by allowing the owner to control food and water dispensing at specific intervals even when they're away from home.
It helps solve the issue of ensuring the cat’s needs are met remotely. Whether you're outside and want to check if your cat needs food or water, or simply want to automate the routine altogether, this project provides an easy and efficient solution.
I personally care about this idea because I own a cat myself, and there were many times when I wished I had a system like this especially when I was out or traveling, and had to rely on someone else to handle the task. So, I wanted to create a solution that would make life easier for both me and my pet
Pet feeder and entertainer device
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
It is a device that feeds and entertains cats in the absence of their owner, remotely.
The system will include:
A display screen showing the number of remaining feeding portions and the number of portions already dispensed.
A motion sensor to detect the cat's presence.
Remote control through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
A cube body made of laser-cut plywood, divided into two sections
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
Motion Sensor
Bluetooth Module (for remote control via mobile app)
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
Servo Motor to dispense food
Water Pump to dispense water
LED Indicator
Ball Launcher to throw small balls for play
Brain
Arduino Uno
Power Management
Always connected to standard home electricity
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
The final design came after discussions with the instructors
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Servo/Stepper Motor (to open/close the food gate)
Arduino
manual feeding
LCD to display
buzzer (alarm-food/balls)
Complete User Features
Mobile App Control
Action: Mobile App Control
Automatic Scheduled Feeding
Action: Dispense a specific amount of food at set times
Sensing: Ultrasonic Sensor
ball launcher
Nice-to-have User Features
Pet Detection before Feeding
Action: Detect the presence of the cat before dispensing food
Sensing:Camera with AI
Automatic Water Dispenser Integration
Action: Add an integrated water dispensing system alongside the feeder
Sensing:Water Level Sensor
Water Pump
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Arduino uno
1
LCD display
1
push button
2
container(food,ball)
2
IR sensor
2
buzzer
1
power supply
1
on/off switch
1
breadboard
1
servo motor
2
bluetooth sensor
1
ball launcher
1
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
CAD Design
Model the feeder body, servo mount, and containe
7
8
Wiring
Connect servo, IR sensor, buzzer
9
11
Coding
Develop Arduino code (sensor inputs + servo control)
12
14
Fabrication
Laser cut and assemble the full wooden structure
16
18
Fabrication
3D print mechanical parts
19
20
Testing
Run trials for servo feeding angles and sensor accuracy
21
22
Documentation
Summarize progress, challenges, and results
23
24
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