Smart Pet Door
Date: May 2024
The Smart Pet Door project is designed to provide pets with the freedom to enter the home while ensuring security against unregistered animals. It utilizes a combination of BLE beacon technology and an infrared motion sensor to detect and authenticate a pet's approach and to automatically manage access.
Motivation
This project idea actually came from my mom. Our family cat, admittedly not the sharpest tool in the shed, has struggled with using traditional pet houses. Every time we tried giving him one, other neighborhood cats would take it over. They’d get inside, eat his food, and leave him outside, especially when it rained and we weren't home to let him in. To help him have a place of his own, my mom thought a smart pet door would be really useful. This system uses a beacon-based entry mechanism that ensures only our cat can enter, preventing other animals from accessing his shelter and food. This door not only promises to give our beloved but intellectually challenged cat the comfort and security he deserves but also offers peace of mind, knowing he has access to his own space, regardless of whether we are home to assist him.
Final look of the project at the PM faire
The circuitry of the project
When an authorized pet (carying the BLE beacon) is at the door (the servomotor moves to horizontal position to allow access):
Cat approaches door
Cat is allowed to enter the door
When an unauthorized pet is trying to enter (the servomotor remains vertical, stopping the flap door from being pushed):
Dog approaches door
Dog is not permitted entrance