Go-Pro Bird Sensor
![PXL_20210324_110314029.PORTRAIT.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FMK/BB8Y/KWW47B21/FMKBB8YKWW47B21.jpg&filename=PXL_20210324_110314029.PORTRAIT.jpg)
![Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.22.08.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FCS/S8IM/KWW47B4G/FCSS8IMKWW47B4G.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.22.08.png)
![Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.22.59.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPD/GBZ3/KWW47B4H/FPDGBZ3KWW47B4H.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.22.59.png)
What is this?
It's a sensor trigger for a GoPro which uses a PIR sensor, relay and Go Pro Labs to trigger a GoPro to record whenever a bird (or any animal) gets close.
Why?
During lockdown I began recording videos of birds feeding in our garden. I was leaving the camera recoding for hours at a time which took up lots of memory space and time. I wanted to trigger the GoPro to begin recording when a bird came close.
Should I make it?
Well... it worked very well for me and was great fun to build. This project offers a solution to triggering a GoPro using GoPro Labs which some might find interesting.
Why does it looks like a bomb?
I'm not sure...
Cable Diagram
![Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 19.35.02.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FN3/Z4V4/KWW4791G/FN3Z4V4KWW4791G.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 19.35.02.png)
Overview of the cabling. The Arduino ports pictured differ from the code.
Make 3 X Micro USB Cables
![USB Cable.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZJ/CNSF/KWW47943/FZJCNSFKWW47943.jpg&filename=USB Cable.jpg)
- To power the Arduino, you need to strip a USB cable and wire this to the breadboard. I separated the + and - wires then soldered them to breadboard cables. I then shrink wrapped over the solders (picture was taken before I shrink wrapped)
- You will need three of these cables: 1 to power the Arduino and 2 to make a cable to power the GoPro
Make GoPro Charge/relay Cable
![Screen Shot 2021-11-23 at 18.36.19.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FL8/EG8N/KWW479IA/FL8EG8NKWW479IA.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-11-23 at 18.36.19.png)
- Using 2 of the micro USB cables, solder the negative terminals together and shrink wrap. connect USB cable to GoPro with USB to MICRO USB adapter.
Wiring
![Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 19.35.02.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FY2/O6XD/KWW479GA/FY2O6XDKWW479GA.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 19.35.02.png)
- wire all the components together as per the wiring diagram.
- The cable connecting the relay to the power bank goes to the centre terminal, not the right terminal as pictured.
Install GoPro Labs Firmware
![Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.08.30.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FA3/1MUU/KWW479KD/FA31MUUKWW479KD.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.08.30.png)
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Next, we need to make the GoPro record when it receives power.
- go to https://gopro.github.io/labs/control/usb/ and set the parameters how you wish.
- scan the QR code with your GoPro and it will download the settings
Code
![Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.15.06.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F8B/QS7L/KWW47AEL/F8BQS7LKWW47AEL.png&filename=Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 20.15.06.png)
The code is very simple. Here's how it works.
- Read sensor.
- if sensor value is high; trigger relay
- else { do no nothing }
The rest of the code is there to serial print what is happening.
Downloads
Housing
![PXL_20210324_103832672.PORTRAIT.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FP2/P5O4/KWW47AMB/FP2P5O4KWW47AMB.jpg&filename=PXL_20210324_103832672.PORTRAIT.jpg)
![PXL_20210324_110314029.PORTRAIT.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHX/NTQ0/KWW47AML/FHXNTQ0KWW47AML.jpg&filename=PXL_20210324_110314029.PORTRAIT.jpg)
I built the housing from a plastic box. Make sure the sensor points the subject and try to make it not look like a bomb. #100%IP68