Sad Cat Fixer - Carson Burke

In my Sad Cat Fixer project, I will make the cat happy by creating an automatically and manually hybrid controlled by infrared. This allows for the cat to have the joy of chasing the laser, while the user also has fun playing with the cat. As well as the user to set the pointer to an automatic mode allowing for the cat to continue to enjoy the toy, while the user may be away from home or busy with other work.

- 1 Arduino microcontroller board

- 2 Servo motors

- 1 Infrared controller

- 1 Infrared sensor

- 1 Laser pointer/LED

- 1 330 Ohm Resistor

- Power supply (5 - 9V)

- Connection wires

- 1 Breadboard (optional)

The idea first came to me to use a laser pointer in this project while I was using a temperature reading device, which creates a red laser point where it scans, to play with my cat. The sporadic and excited movements of my cat chasing the laser, convinced me that a laser pointer is a simple way to make any cat happy. I found that the problem with most laser pointers is that they take a person to use them. While at first playing with the is enjoyable for both owner and pet, it can quickly become uninteresting for the owner even thought the cat is still having fun. This problem led me to want to implement a system where the device could both automatically control the motors Arduino, as well as be controlled by the human. The drawings seen above are the first ideas I had for the device.

I then started to make the circuit, as I had an idea on how all of the parts would fit into the box, but not how they would be connected and interact with each other. This lead me to create the circuit diagram seen above as started to plan how all the hardware would be connected to each other.

Link to circuit diagram: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XnSs887Cx6YpTWZZI...

With both the knowledge of which hardware components I needed, and how the circuit was going to look, I created an online prototype. The website TinkerCAD allowed me to do this easily as they have many Arduino components to use and connect, including all of the ones I need. I eventually came up with the circuit seen above, and started the hardest part of this project, the software.

Link to TinkerCAD: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/htHq9eEh20F-sad-c...

I severely underestimated how long it would take to program this project. In between learning new libraries, remembering ones I hadn't used in a long time, and just general logic issues and problem solving, this took way longer than I originally estimated. Upon finishing though, I had a fully working online simulation, as well as a great basis of to start making my real life prototype off of.

Code can be found in .txt file or on TinkerCad link seen above

After all the hard work and online simulations, it was time to build the physical thing. Using an Arduino kit off Amazon and components from my teacher. As well as referencing my TinkerCad and circuit diagram, I built a physical prototype. This can be seen in the photo above, as well as video of the circuit working in the YouTube Link below.

YouTube link:

Unfortunately due to some complication with COVID-19, I was unable to obtain the parts needed to create a full size working prototype in a box.

Thank you so much for reading my Instructable on how I built my Sad Cat Fixer project and you can too! I hope this inspires you to try running with your own ideas and trying them out as well.