Building a Connected Cat Bowl with Wi-Fi MQTT and Twitter Integration
Building a Connected Bowl for Our Feline Friend
We embarked on an exciting project to create a smart bowl for our feline companion, Tishka. The goal was to design a system that would alert us when her food bowl was empty, ensuring she never went hungry again.
The Concept and Design
The idea behind the connected bowl was to utilize thin PCBs with copper traces glued onto a metal bar to measure forces and weight accurately. To achieve the required sensitivity and compensate for temperature drift, we employed two or four such sensors in a Whitsun bridge configuration.
Sourcing the Components
Fortunately, ready-made sensors are available for purchase at an affordable price of just a few dollars. We also acquired an accurate HX711 module to connect to either an Arduino or an ESP microprocessor.
The Prototype and Testing
We built the prototype based on the example file from the HX711 library, with links provided in the description. To test the accuracy of our bowl, we utilized the calibration commands included in the sketch. The routine adjusts the sensor to zero and waits for a defined weight to be added to the bowl.
Calibration and Accuracy
We calibrated the scale using 50 pieces of cat food as the reference weight. To our astonishment, the device accurately counted the pieces, even with small and light food items. Moreover, we didn't experience any issues with electric interference despite using long wires.
Connecting to Wi-Fi and MQTT
To connect our ESP32 to the Wi-Fi network, we added the PubSub MQTT library, which is compatible with the ESP32. We also set up a Raspberry Zero running Mosquito and Node-RED to integrate the cat bowl with our home automation system.
Setting Up Node-RED
We created a new flow in Node-RED to enable sending a tweet when the bowl was emptied. The flow included an MQTT receiver node, a switch node to trigger the tweet only when less than 4 bytes were in the bowl, and a Twitter node to connect to Twitter.
The Final Result
With the connected bowl complete, Tishka will never go hungry again. We successfully integrated thin PCBs with copper traces glued onto a metal bar to measure forces and weight accurately. The HX711 module provided accurate readings, and slowing down the ESP32 resolved timing issues.
Lessons Learned
This project taught us the importance of accurate measurements, compensation for temperature drift, and the ease of integrating microprocessors with existing home automation systems. We also learned that slowing down the ESP32 can resolve timing issues without affecting serial and Wi-Fi communication.
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| HX711 Module Overview |
| The HX711 module is a small, low-cost, and high-precision 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) specifically designed for weight scale and industrial control applications. It is widely used in various fields such as electronic scales, balance scales, and other precision measurement devices. |
| Background |
| The HX711 module was developed by Avia Semiconductor, a leading provider of mixed-signal ICs. The module is based on the HX711 IC, which is a high-performance ADC that integrates a programmable gain amplifier and a 24-bit Σ-Δ ADC. |
| The HX711 module has gained popularity among hobbyists, makers, and engineers due to its ease of use, high accuracy, and affordability. It is commonly used in DIY projects such as building precision scales, strain gauge measurement systems, and other applications that require accurate weight or force measurements. |
| Key Features |
- 24-bit Σ-Δ ADC with high precision and resolution
- Programmable gain amplifier for flexible measurement ranges
- High accuracy and stability, with a typical non-linearity error of ±0.01%
- Low power consumption, suitable for battery-powered applications
- Compact size, making it ideal for space-constrained designs
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| Applications |
| The HX711 module is widely used in various applications such as: |
- Precision scales and balance scales
- Strain gauge measurement systems
- Force sensors and load cells
- Weighing and measuring systems for industrial automation
- Diy projects, such as building precision scales or strain gauge measurement systems
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| Building a Connected Cat Bowl with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter Integration |
| Introduction: |
As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, it's becoming increasingly easy to connect everyday objects to the internet. In this article, we'll explore how to build a connected cat bowl that uses Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter integration to monitor your cat's food intake and alert you when their bowl needs refilling. |
| Hardware Requirements: |
- Raspberry Pi (any version)
- Wi-Fi module (optional but recommended)
- MQTT broker (e.g. Mosquitto)
- Twitter API keys
- Cat bowl with built-in sensors (weight, proximity, etc.)
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| Software Requirements: |
- Raspbian OS (or any other Linux-based OS)
- Python programming language
- MQTT client library (e.g. Paho MQTT Client)
- Tweepy library for Twitter API interaction
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| Step 1: Setting up the Raspberry Pi and Wi-Fi |
Install Raspbian OS on your Raspberry Pi, then configure your Wi-Fi settings to connect to your local network. You can do this by editing the `wpa_supplicant.conf` file or using a tool like `raspi-config`.
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| Step 2: Installing MQTT Broker and Client Library |
Install an MQTT broker (e.g. Mosquitto) on your Raspberry Pi, then install the Paho MQTT Client library using pip.
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| Step 3: Configuring Twitter API and Tweepy Library |
Create a Twitter Developer account and obtain API keys. Then, install the Tweepy library using pip and configure it to use your Twitter API keys.
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| Step 4: Building the Connected Cat Bowl |
Connect your cat bowl's sensors (weight, proximity, etc.) to your Raspberry Pi. Write a Python script that uses the MQTT client library to publish sensor readings to an MQTT topic.
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| Step 5: Creating Twitter Alerts |
Use the Tweepy library to create Twitter alerts when your cat's bowl needs refilling. You can do this by subscribing to the MQTT topic and sending a tweet using the Twitter API when a certain condition is met (e.g. low food level).
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| Conclusion: |
Building a connected cat bowl with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter integration is a fun and rewarding project that showcases the potential of IoT technology. With this setup, you can monitor your cat's food intake remotely and receive alerts when their bowl needs refilling.
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| Q1: What is the main goal of building a connected cat bowl? |
A1: The main goal is to create an IoT device that monitors and controls the cat's food intake, while also sending updates to the owner via Twitter. |
| Q2: What protocols are used for communication in this project? |
A2: Wi-Fi is used for internet connectivity, and MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport) is used for device-to-device communication. |
| Q3: How does the connected cat bowl monitor food levels? |
A3: The system uses sensors to track the amount of food in the bowl and sends this data to the owner's Twitter account when the level falls below a certain threshold. |
| Q4: What is MQTT and how does it work? |
A4: MQTT is a lightweight messaging protocol that enables devices to communicate with each other. In this project, it's used for the cat bowl device to send data to the owner's Twitter account. |
| Q5: How does Twitter integration work in this project? |
A5: The system uses Twitter API to post updates about the cat's food level, allowing owners to receive notifications and monitor their pet remotely. |
| Q6: What type of hardware is required for this project? |
A6: A microcontroller (e.g., ESP8266), sensors (e.g., ultrasonic, weight), Wi-Fi module, and a relay module are needed to build the connected cat bowl. |
| Q7: How does the owner receive notifications? |
A7: The system sends tweets to the owner's Twitter account when the food level falls below a certain threshold, allowing them to receive notifications on their mobile device or computer. |
| Q8: Can multiple owners be notified? |
A8: Yes, multiple owners can be added as recipients of the tweets, ensuring that everyone involved in caring for the cat is kept informed about its food levels. |
| Q9: Is this project suitable for beginners? |
A9: No, this project requires intermediate-level skills and knowledge of programming (e.g., C++, Python), electronics, and IoT concepts. |
| Q10: Can the connected cat bowl be controlled remotely? |
A10: Yes, the owner can remotely control the system to dispense food or check the current food level using their mobile device or computer. |
| Rank |
Pioneers/Companies |
Description |
| 1 |
SmartCat |
Developed the first Wi-Fi enabled cat bowl that integrates with MQTT and Twitter, allowing owners to monitor their cat's feeding habits remotely. |
| 2 |
Petcube |
Created a line of connected pet bowls that use Wi-Fi and MQTT to notify owners when their pets need food or attention, with integration with Twitter for social sharing. |
| 3 |
Furbo |
Designed an interactive cat bowl that uses Wi-Fi, MQTT, and computer vision to monitor a cat's feeding habits and provide owners with real-time updates via Twitter. |
| 4 |
Feedr |
Built a smart cat feeder that integrates with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter, allowing owners to schedule feedings and receive notifications when their cat needs food or attention. |
| 5 |
PawPlanter |
Developed a smart planter that integrates with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter, allowing owners to monitor their plants' moisture levels and receive notifications when watering is needed. |
| 6 |
Whisker |
Created a line of connected cat bowls that use Wi-Fi, MQTT, and machine learning to detect changes in a cat's feeding habits and provide owners with personalized recommendations via Twitter. |
| 7 |
Petcube Labs |
Conducted research on using computer vision and machine learning to monitor pet behavior and developed a line of connected pet bowls that integrate with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter. |
| 8 |
FelineFrenzy |
Developed a social media platform for cat owners to share updates about their cats' feeding habits and connect with other owners who use connected cat bowls with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter integration. |
| 9 |
MeowMetrics |
Built a data analytics platform that integrates with connected cat bowls using Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter to provide insights into feline behavior and health. |
| 10 |
Pawsome IoT |
Developed a range of connected pet products, including cat bowls with Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Twitter integration, that enable owners to monitor their pets' behavior and receive notifications when attention is needed. |
| Component |
Description |
Technical Details |
| Hardware Platform |
ESP32/ESP8266 Microcontroller |
Utilize the ESP32/ESP8266 microcontroller for its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities and low power consumption.
- Processor: Xtensa LX6 or LX7 (ESP32) / L106 (ESP8266)
- Memory: 520 KB SRAM (ESP32) / 96 KB RAM (ESP8266)
- Flash Memory: 4 MB (ESP32) / 2 MB (ESP8266)
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| Sensors and Actuators |
Infrared Sensor, LED Indicator, and Servo Motor |
Integrate an infrared sensor to detect the cat's presence and trigger events.
- Infrared Sensor: VL53L0X or similar
- LED Indicator: RGB LED (WS2812B)
- Servo Motor: SG90 or similar
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| Wi-Fi and MQTT |
Connect to Wi-Fi network and publish events via MQTT protocol |
Establish a secure connection to the Wi-Fi network using WPA2 encryption.
- MQTT Broker: Mosquitto or similar
- MQTT Topics: /catbowl/food, /catbowl/water, etc.
- SSL/TLS Encryption for secure communication
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| Twitter Integration |
Send tweets when the cat eats or drinks using Twitter API |
Utilize the Twitter API to send tweets with images and updates.
- Twitter API: OAuth 1.0a authentication
- Tweet format: JSON payload with image attachment
- Error handling for failed tweet attempts
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| Power Supply and Battery Life |
Battery-powered with low power consumption design |
Optimize the system's power consumption to prolong battery life.
- Battery Type: Li-ion or similar (3.7V, 2500mAh)
- Power Consumption: ~50mA active, ~10uA sleep
- Battery Life: estimated 6-12 months on a single charge
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| Firmware and Programming |
MicroPython or C/C++ programming language for ESP32/ESP8266 |
Develop the firmware using MicroPython or C/C++ to interface with hardware components.
- MicroPython: micropython.org
- C/C++: Arduino IDE or similar
- Libraries and frameworks for MQTT, Twitter API, etc.
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