I recently adopted a kitten, and I have been reminded of the incredible amount of energy they have. This little guy thinks every time I move my hand it is for his own personal enjoyment, and for some reason he has also taken to playing with my feet while I am in the kitchen. In the past I always adopted two kittens at once as playmates for each other, so up until now I have never really had to experience the pressure of being responsible for a crazy kitty’s almost round-the-clock stimulation.
With the 3D printed Pet Interactive Device, our pets should be continually happy and playing. If I need a break from this wild little fur ball of mine, the device can be switched on and I can just kick back and watch him get worn out (if that’s felinely possible), or I may possibly even be allowed to go cook in my kitchen undisturbed…
Regardless of your own pet device needs, you have to appreciate this 3D printed Pet Interactive Device Instructable. EmmaSong — who also introduced us to a great 3D printed beetle bot — has been kind enough to share with us the ten steps she took to make it. This is a lot of work, but considering how much you love your pet, I am sure you’ll decide tackling the project is well worth it!
Step One lists parts, which are extensive, and you can read about and get links to here. You need a mobile robot platform, Arduino compatible controller and expansion board, two different kinds of steering engines, a mini player module, a speaker, and a lithium battery.
In Step Two, EmmaSong provides the Schematic Circuit Diagram you’ll need, and in Step Three she provides the Program Logic Diagram. Once you understand these diagrams, you are ready to move onto Step Four: the Functional Diagram.
Next comes the exciting stuff, as we begin to understand what the device can actually do. You will be amazed, and perhaps even if you don’t have a pet now, you will be driven to go out and get some animals just so you can make and use this. Step Five covers the laser emission function that transmits one of those red dots that are so fun for pets to play with endlessly (see above photo). Step Six covers an incredible function: the device automatically throws pet treats. Do you see how happy the cat is in the graphic to the left? That could be your own precious pet achieving a state of blissful Nirvana!
It keeps getting better. The next core function is a voice module that allows you to record your own voice, so your pet can relate better to the device. It’s certainly no substitute for your lap, but hearing your voice will stimulate your pet in all the right ways. Then, there’s the device’s quantitative feeding mode. What’s that? Here’s EmmaSong’s description:
“For dog-like and cat-like animals, moving foods are more attractive. Combining the Cherokee mobile platform and the modular-designed feeding device, the masters can throw quantified food by the rotation of the impeller wherever they want. With this mode, the pets can eat sweet and sound.”
Step Nine
describes how you can start the device when you are away by adding camera and WiFi modules, and Step Ten gives you the essential 3D printing files.
Right now I am just lucky my cat is sleeping while I type away and post these photos. He frequently competes with my computer for lap time, sitting on my keyboard or positioning himself next to me while staring at the computer screen. If he saw this and knew I was doing anything but starting my shopping list for parts for this awesome device that he desperately needs, he’d be pretty angry with me. Let’s hear your thoughts on this device in the 3D Printed Pet Toy forum thread on 3DPB.com.
