Smart Home For Cats

Abstract

This graduation project presents the design and implementation of "Cat Home," an integrated smart pet care system that leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems to automate feline daily routines and safety monitoring. The system addresses four main pillars: automated feeding and hydration, waste management, environmental monitoring, and interactive play. The mechanical design features a custom-built 3D-printed litter box driven by a Nema 23 stepper motor. It utilizes a unique 360-degree rotational sieving mechanism to separate waste from sand efficiently. Additionally, a 3D-printed food spinner and a water pump ensure precise meal and hydration delivery. The core of the system is powered by an Arduino Mega, interfaced with an ESP8266 for mobile connectivity and an ESP32-CAM for real-time video streaming. To ensure system stability, a sophisticated power management strategy was implemented using multiple DC-DC Buck Converters to isolate high-torque motor noise from sensitive microcontroller logic. The system integrates various sensors, including DHT11 for climate control (fan and lamp), smoke and flame sensors for fire safety, and ultrasonic/water-level sensors to prevent overflow and pump damage. Users can interact with the system via a manual Keypad and LCD menu, or remotely through a custom Flutter-based mobile application. The application allows for manual control of a laser toy (via X-Y servos), real-time environmental data visualization, and flexible scheduling of tasks using an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module, which maintains system timing even during power outages. This comprehensive solution provides a safe, interactive, and autonomous environment for pets, catering to the needs of modern pet owners.