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iothings:proiecte:2025sric:automatic_cat_feeder [2025/05/28 23:41] ioana.popescu1905 [Results] |
iothings:proiecte:2025sric:automatic_cat_feeder [2025/05/29 11:08] (current) ioana.popescu1905 [Results] |
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- | ====== ESP 32 Automatic Cat Feeder ====== | + | ====== ESP32 Automatic Cat Feeder ====== |
* Author: Ioana-Denisa Popescu | * Author: Ioana-Denisa Popescu | ||
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The system uses an ESP32 microcontroller as its central processing unit, taking advantage of its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities to enable remote monitoring and control via the Blynk mobile application, along with optional integration with Google Home for voice-activated commands. The main goal of the project is to ensure reliable, portion-controlled food dispensing based on customizable schedules or proximity detection, while enabling remote access to support efficient and flexible pet care management. | The system uses an ESP32 microcontroller as its central processing unit, taking advantage of its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities to enable remote monitoring and control via the Blynk mobile application, along with optional integration with Google Home for voice-activated commands. The main goal of the project is to ensure reliable, portion-controlled food dispensing based on customizable schedules or proximity detection, while enabling remote access to support efficient and flexible pet care management. | ||
- | When it comes to hardware, essential elements include a servo motor for triggering the food dispensing mechanism, an ultrasonic distance sensor for detecting the cat’s proximity and an LED indicator to indicate general system status. The servo motor operates for a fixed duration to ensure consistent and portion-controlled food delivery. | + | When it comes to hardware, essential elements include a servo motor for triggering the food dispensing mechanism, an ultrasonic distance sensor for detecting the cat’s proximity and an LED indicator to show the general system status. The servo motor operates for a fixed duration to ensure consistent and portion-controlled food delivery. |
The system operates in two main modes, which can be adjusted remotely via the Blynk mobile application or web dashboard: | The system operates in two main modes, which can be adjusted remotely via the Blynk mobile application or web dashboard: | ||
* **Proximity-Based Feeding (V0):** When enabled, the distance sensor monitors for movement within a predefined range (<10 cm). If the cooldown period has passed, the system automatically activates the servo to dispense food when the cat is nearby. Proximity-based feeding can be enabled or disabled within the Blynk architecture. | * **Proximity-Based Feeding (V0):** When enabled, the distance sensor monitors for movement within a predefined range (<10 cm). If the cooldown period has passed, the system automatically activates the servo to dispense food when the cat is nearby. Proximity-based feeding can be enabled or disabled within the Blynk architecture. | ||
- | * **Manual Feeding via Mobile App / Web Dashboard (V1):** Users can trigger the feeder remotely using the Blynk app or web dashboard. This mode allows feeding on demand, regardless of proximity and is definitely useful when the user is away from home. | + | * **Manual Feeding via Mobile App / Web Dashboard (V1):** Users can trigger the feeder remotely by using the Blynk app or web dashboard. This mode allows feeding on demand, regardless of proximity and is definitely useful when the user is away from home. |
====== Hardware ====== | ====== Hardware ====== | ||
<note tip>__**Hardware Components**__ | <note tip>__**Hardware Components**__ | ||
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__**Hardware Circuit**__ | __**Hardware Circuit**__ | ||
- | {{:iothings:proiecte:2025sric:circuit_image.png?800|}} | + | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:circuit_image.png?550 |}} |
__**Connecting Components**__ | __**Connecting Components**__ | ||
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__**Physical Circuit (Initial Version)**__ | __**Physical Circuit (Initial Version)**__ | ||
- | {{:iothings:proiecte:2025sric:whatsapp_image_2025-05-28_at_20.55.23.jpeg?800|}} | + | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:whatsapp_image_2025-05-28_at_20.55.23.jpeg?550 |}} |
At this stage, the hardware components were connected and part of the code was tested to check basic functionalities. However, for the final version of the system, the component placement was slightly adjusted to eliminate redundant wiring. | At this stage, the hardware components were connected and part of the code was tested to check basic functionalities. However, for the final version of the system, the component placement was slightly adjusted to eliminate redundant wiring. | ||
====== Software Design ====== | ====== Software Design ====== | ||
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The Automatic Cat Feeder system functions according to the logic shown in the following diagram: | The Automatic Cat Feeder system functions according to the logic shown in the following diagram: | ||
- | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:automaticcatflow.drawio.png?800 |}} | + | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:automaticcatflow.drawio.png?650 |}} |
After initializations such as connecting to Wi-Fi, pins, servo motor and Blynk configurations in setup(), it is important to distinguish between operating modes, under currentAction: | After initializations such as connecting to Wi-Fi, pins, servo motor and Blynk configurations in setup(), it is important to distinguish between operating modes, under currentAction: | ||
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</code> | </code> | ||
====== Challenges ====== | ====== Challenges ====== | ||
- | One of the main challenges was integrating and configuring the device with Blynk. Beyond just authentication, some interesting steps included creating dashboards for both web and mobile, as well as setting up the synchronized data streams, specifically virtual pins V0 and V1. | + | One of the main challenges was integrating and configuring the device with Blynk. Beyond just authentication, some interesting steps included creating dashboards for both web and mobile, as well as setting up the synchronized data streams, specifically the virtual pins V0 and V1. |
{{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:denisablynk.jpg?200 |}}{{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:denisablynk3.png?700 |}} | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:denisablynk.jpg?200 |}}{{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:denisablynk3.png?700 |}} | ||
- | Additionally, I was able to implement several automations, such as notifications when motion is detected by the cat, and scheduling feedings at specific times. | + | Additionally, I was able to implement several automations, such as notifications when motion is detected by the cat or scheduling feedings at specific time intervals. |
{{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:denisablynk2.png?400 |}} | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:denisablynk2.png?400 |}} | ||
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__**Final Product**__ | __**Final Product**__ | ||
+ | {{ :iothings:proiecte:2025sric:whatsapp_image_2025-05-28_at_23.40.30.jpeg?500 |}} | ||
__**Demo**__ | __**Demo**__ | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[https://youtu.be/T-SIp3h5ZdU|ESP32 Automatic Cat Feeder]] | ||
+ | |||
====== Conclusions ====== | ====== Conclusions ====== | ||
The ESP32 Automatic Cat Feeder project successfully demonstrates how IoT technology can enhance everyday pet care by combining hardware control with cloud-based connectivity. Through the integration of sensors, actuators, and the Blynk platform, the system provides flexible, remote and automated feeding options. The addition of voice assistant control further elevates the user experience by enabling hands-free operation. | The ESP32 Automatic Cat Feeder project successfully demonstrates how IoT technology can enhance everyday pet care by combining hardware control with cloud-based connectivity. Through the integration of sensors, actuators, and the Blynk platform, the system provides flexible, remote and automated feeding options. The addition of voice assistant control further elevates the user experience by enabling hands-free operation. |