Automatic Cat Toy 2025

For those who have the cats, but not the energy...

This cat toy is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their relationship with their cat. With a state-of-the-art design and easy constructability, this fun project touches on the basics of Arduino, in an easy-to-understand way. With random turns and movement, and a noisemaker to grab the cat's attention, it is the perfect fit for all your cat-playing desires.

Arduino

Motor Driver

Ultrasonic Detector

Potentiometer

Speaker

Sturdy Cardboard or Wood

3D Printed Top or More Cardboard

Velcro

Ball Wheel

Hot Glue

1. Connect the Motor Driver
2. Vm connects to Vin
3. Vcc connects to 5V
4. GND connects to GND
5. A01 & B01 connect to the red (+) motor wire on each motor
6. A02 & B02 connect to the black (-) motor wire on each motor
7. PWMA connects to pin 3
8. AIN1 connects to pin 10
9. AIN2 connects to pin 9
10. STBY connects to 5V
11. BIN1 connects to pin 13
12. BIN2 connects to pin 12
13. PWMB connects to pin 11
14. Connect Ultrasonic detector
15. Vcc connects to 5V
16. Trig connects to pin 5
17. Echo connects to pin 6
18. GND connects to GND
19. Connect Potentiometer
20. Left pin connects to GND
21. Middle pin connects to pin 0
22. Right pin connects to 5V
23. Connect Speaker
24. Positive connects to pin 4
25. Negative connects to GND

For the Top Cover, either download the .stl files above and 3d print, or cut out a 5.5" x 6.5" x 5.5" cardboard box with a 2.25" x 1.5" hole in the front for the Ultrasonic Detector. For the motor holes, cut out a 3.25" x 1" hole on either side of the box on the bottom near the back where you want the wheels to go. Make sure you're able to take the top off the bottom surface so that you can put the Arduino and breadboard in later, and glue pins to each corner to ensure it stays on when you want it to. Put the Ball Wheel on the bottom side of the box near the front middle to balance out the height from the wheels in the back, and use the adhesive on the Velcro strips to stick them on the baseplate. One Velcro strip will connect the breadboard to the front of the baseplate, and two more will fit where the holes are on either side of the back of the baseplate (these will be used for the motors).

Using the Velcro strips, connect the breadboard and connected Arduino to the front of the baseplate, and connect the two motors on either side of the back of the baseplate. Then download the code for the toy, and upload it to the Arduino using the cable with your Sparkfun kit. Remember, the toy will continuously run while connected to power, so use a battery pack to ensure long range use, and then once the top cover is on it's done! Enjoy your new automated cat toy!