Arduino-powered Automatic Pet Feeder

Camposagrado, China Lei M.

Doria, Jonathan David C.

Mercado, Gervie Mae G.

Ochoa, Lady Francis Chloe

E. San Juan, Sarah Jessica R.

National University – Laguna Campus

Mr. Earl John B. Flores

March 14, 2023

 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

People are busier now than in the past, and as a result, they tend to forget some of their

responsibilities, which could be the root of problems. Keeping a dog at home is one of those

responsibilities. Because of their attractive appearance, devotion, and amusing personalities, most

people need to have a personal pet. Puppy ownership is a responsibility that is worthwhile because

it provides domestic employment and happiness. The main causes of puppy owners are their

careless behavior when it comes to caring for their animals. Their priorities seem to place their

dogs at the bottom of the list. Moreover, the importance of feeding is one key aspect of puppy

care (S et al., 2020).

As stated by Babu, Kumar, and Kuppusamy (2019), pet ownership requires a lot of

commitment. This means keeping them company, talking to them about your issues, and of

course, feeding them appropriately and on time. It might be challenging and time-consuming to

take care of your pet’s food because not everyone is always at home. The two main health

problems impacting pets are overeating and obesity. They often take whatever amount is offered

to them, especially when they are younger. Several adult pets are fed in a not scientific way,

which could subsequently shorten their lifespan. Another difficulty with feeding dogs is that

owners might not always be at home frequently. Owners are concerned by the continual reminder

that, despite being obsessed with personal aspirations, they still must take care of a starving

young man at home.

 According to Mullet (n.d.), Benji, an unfortunate dog, was saved from being forgotten by

his owner. The young dog was denied nourishment and was on the verge of death as Benji had

spent his entire life chained up and sleeping on a concrete floor. Moreover, according to How to

Get a Sick Dog to Eat (2020), dogs are typically able to endure three to five days without eating,

although this is not recommended. However, water intake for dogs is more crucial than food.

The 20th century gave us new technology including communication based. Technology

began to alter the way of life of every person on Earth. With the help of technology, devices

might be created with an endless variety of capabilities. The invention of the cell phone or

smartphones has started the biggest change. Human lives are significantly improved by phones

since they enable wireless communication by using signals. In the past, most people used analog

phones, which can still be used for communication but have fewer features. Digital technology

develops into a universal technique capable of meeting capacity demands in the 20th century.

Raymond V. Sweeny received the world's first pet feeder patent in 1939 under the name

"Time Controlled Feeding Device for Domestic Pets," and Jerome Frankel received the first

automatic feeding device patent under the name "Kum pet feeder: Feeding device for Animals"

in the same year (Roux, 2020). The use of this invention was to provide pets which automatically

allow access to their meals from morning to night. According to Wells (2020), automated pet

feeders are designed to automatically distribute a set amount of food at a specified time, saving

you the hassle. Even though they seem like a great solution for taking care of your pet when

you're away, they are not always dependable and weren't designed with most pets in mind. The

idea of an automatic pet-feeding device is the main objective of this project.

A product called an automated pet feeder would take the place of the manual feeding

approach and can be adjusted to feed pets at the appropriate time. Pet feeder innovation is used

to
combat pet owners' forgetfulness about feeding their pets and to prevent additional spending

charges by putting them in a shelter. Therefore, the researchers in this study suggested a brand-

new method for feeding pets while their owners are away from their households. When a pet

approaches the container, or when the distance sensor detects motion at a certain distance from

the pet feeder, the food is served. To determine whether the weight of the water and food bowls

is at a certain level, a load cell sensor was used.

As a result, the purpose of our study is to provide pet owners with a quicker and more

effective way to feed their animals, even when they may not be at home or are unable to control

them remotely. In particular, the goal is to create a design that can automatically locate certain

pets, care for the discovered specific pets using the most recent pet profiles that have been kept

and dispense the proper kind of food at each individual’s proper amount. The fact that various

species of pets might benefit from the pet feeder is an important consideration. The food plates

and boxes are all distinct so that the owner can put different ingredients for different pets in each.

To operate the system and control the mechanism in this project, an Arduino is employed as the

microcontroller.

Conceptual Framework

The goal of the study is to create a tool that will automatically deliver a predetermined

quantity of food at a predetermined time, saving users time. Figure 1 shows how this study’s

research was conducted. The design shows the input elements, the process, and the output.
 Figure 1: Research Paradigm

Research Paradigm is displayed in figure 1. Materials, tools, and equipment required to

create an automatic pet feeder using Arduino are included in the first box. The second box then

shows the products production process, which is divided into three parts: process, product testing,

and evaluation. The final package of the product states its objectives which is to create an

Arduino- powered automatic pet feeder.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focused on the use of Arduino as a means of feeding our own pets. The study

was conducted during the school year 2022-2023. The researchers will gather different

participants regardless of their gender and age if they own a pet. The study will focus on their

experiences and views on pet feeding and how it correlates with their work and everyday lives.

Specifically for dogs and cats, the practicality of an Arduino-powered automatic pet

feeder will be the main emphasis of this study. The autonomous animal feeder was one of the

study's main goals, and it was enhanced by the addition of features like time and quantity

management. Any kind of pet food for dogs and cats can be stored in the automatic animal

feeder, and users can choose which kind is distributed along with the quantity and schedule of

food release. The process will be fully automated and equipped with a timer. The inputs include

proximity sensors, servo motors, user-set times, custom food amounts, timer periods, and an

on/off switch for the system. The output of the system will display the current time, and when

that time has passed, food will start to be automatically dispensed.

Moreover, the Arduino will be linked to the proximity sensor or distance sensor, which

will be the main part of the machine. The food from the machine will begin to flow in as soon as

the animal is heard moving toward the animal feeding spot. When a distance sensor notices

movement away from a pet, food is automatically delivered. A servo engine will power the lock

system. The lock system, also known as a servo motor, should be employed as a lid to store

food at the correct angle. The ideal operating animal feed server will be determined by all of

these variables.

The automatic feeder's drawbacks include the demand for frequent manual food and water

refills, a storage capacity cap, and the need to reset the timer each time the food and water
are replenished. A research project's time limits, however, could nevertheless have an effect on the

final product when there is insufficient time for in-depth experimentation, analysis, and result

interpretation. Careful planning and organization can help achieve the study objectives within the

specified time frame by setting priorities for critical tasks and efficiently managing time.

On the other hand, money and time constraints may also have a substantial impact on the

findings of a study on Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder. Financial constraints, for instance,

may preclude the use of specialized equipment or reduce the amount of testing samples. Similarly,

a lack of time may constrain researchers to focus only on a small portion of their research or

prevent testing and findings analysis. In addition, the Arduino-based automatic animal feeder

limitations are the pet might be overfed sometimes, the electronic components may be damaged

that can cause errors in the system if it is contact with water, the infrared sensors may malfunction

and food may clog if the food compartment is over-full, and it is used only for indoors.

In conclusion, conducting research on Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder is feasible

and reasonable, even for students with minimal resources. Funding and time constraints must be

carefully considered in order to ensure that the study objectives can be met within the restrictions,

or limitations. Moreover, effective planning and organization are necessary to guarantee that the

project is completed to a high standard and that the results may be put to good use.

Significance of the Study

As time goes on, people’s schedules become busier, and caring for a pet requires a lot of

time and effort, thus this study will explain how people can utilize and Arduino-powered

automatic
pet feeder. The product that the researchers created is capable of automatically dispensing the

proper amount of food to pets.

The following several sectors will gain from this study:

Pet owners. The owners of pets are the primary recipients of this study's results. The results of

this study will be helpful for pet owners who are frequently performing errands away from home.

Moreover, this study might clarify the advantages of employing an automatic animal feeder for

pet owners.

Entrepreneurs. The results of this study may lead to a thorough search for a new type of

automated animal feeder that offers many more functions than other pet feeders now marketed.

Hence, this research may also aid in their development of fresh concepts for new products.

Future Researchers. The study will be beneficial to future researchers, and it might be useful to

them if they want to learn more about the Arduino-based automatic animal feeder.

Promotion of value and solid relevance. Since some pet owners are preoccupied, pets are likely

to be left with not enough food and drinks. Pets may be left with little food and water since some

pet owners are preoccupied with their own lives. In addition, because pets are unable to get food

outside, this study has the potential to educate a variety of people in using the Arduino-powered

automatic pet feeder. Consumers will be able to learn more about animal feeders and create more
educated opinions due to the study's findings, which will be used as proof. As a consequence, pet

owners will be aware of the different types and affordable prices of automatic animal feeders.

Future studies that look into the effectiveness of automatic pet feeders indoors when owners have

no time to feed their pets may find guidance in this study.

Contribution to nation building. The country will benefit from the study's findings by learning

more about the many kinds and applications of animal feeders, the number of which can vary

based on the materials utilized. The study of automatic indoor animal feeders will be able to solve

issues that can help pet owners feed their animals when they are busy so they will not end up

with a sickness that will cause them to starve to death.

Contribution to existing body of knowledge (in the field). Inadequate food is frequently given

to pets, which causes them to get hungry and thirsty. The findings of this study will add to the

existing body of knowledge in the area of automated animal feeders since they can provide fresh

insights and details regarding the state of the industry's collection features. The data gathered can

be used to support the many hypotheses and ideas that underlie various recommendations for how

to automatically help or feed pets. In order to provide guidance for future research, the study can

help by the gathering of information and knowledge about the related topic.

Continuous improvement of the teaching learning process. The study’s findings will benefit

people that are having a hard time taking care of their pet because of their busy schedule. This

study will teach people to feed their pet using an Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder.
Definition of Terms

In this section of the research, the researchers thoroughly explain the terms used

throughout the investigation using operational terms. These definitions are meant to ensure that

readers have a common understanding of the terms the researchers used.

Arduino. Is primarily a maker of open-source computer hardware and software

Arduino Community. Refers to the user and project community that creates and makes use of

development boards with microcontrollers.

Pet. A domesticated animal kept for entertainment or companionship.

Pet feeder. A device that helps keep your dog or cat at a healthy weight.

Acronyms

The acronyms used throughout the study are fully explained by the researchers in this

section of the study. These definitions are intended to guarantee that readers are familiar with the

acronyms the researchers used.

GSM. Stands for Global System for Mobile Communications which is a properly utilized digital

mobile network in Europe and other areas of the world for mobile phone users.
 CHAPTER II

Related Literature and Studies

Overview

This chapter summarizes the related literature and studies that the researchers took into

account when showing the significance of the current study. To completely comprehend the

research and improve knowledge of the study, it also provides the study’s synthesis.

Topical/Theme Presentation

For a thorough analysis of relevance, the topic is separated into four topics. The gathered

literature and study are organized into four main topics: Introduction to Arduino, Benefits/Uses

of Automatic Pet Feeder, Different Ways to Build Automatic Pet Feeder Using Arduino, and

Functions of Automatic Pet Feeder Using Arduino. These topics are grouped based on their main

importance and conclusion.

2.2.1 Introduction to Arduino

In the article Arduino by Arduino, S. A. (2015) is primarily a maker of open-source

computer hardware and software. The term "Arduino Community" refers to the user and project

community that creates and makes use of development boards with microcontrollers. These

development boards are open-source prototyping platforms known as Arduino Modules.

Different development board packages are available for the simplified microcontroller board.

Kumar (2018) states that the pet feeding dispenser in this paper uses GSM and Arduino

technology. When to feed the pet can be sent via SMS using a cell phone. If there is a cellular
signal, the owner can use SMS to control the feeding schedule of their pets from anywhere in the

world at any time.

An article by Beltran (2015), describes a project concept in which a pet owner can feed his

own animal even when he is not present by texting the system from his mobile device. The system

uses GSM technology to receive signals from the owner. If the message was successfully

received, the servo motor and solenoid valve would both turn on. The solenoid valve will be

opened to allow the free flow of water as the servo motor rotates to transport the meal. When the

feeding is finished, the system will send a text message to the owner that informs him that the

feeding was successful. The concept was created with those who are constantly busy in mind to

feed their pet.

The cleanliness issue when feeding pets has been addressed first. While automated pet

feeders typically dispense pet food several times, this design is inappropriate for pet owners who

have multiple animals living in their homes. Additionally, the cost of automated pet feeding

equipment on the market is very high. Therefore, an improved control system is created for the

Smart Pet Feeding Machine so that it can address problems with the machine's versatility, price,

and cleanliness. Smart Pet Feeding Machine can be constructed at a reasonable cost thanks to a

straightforward operating control system that uses the Arduino Uno as the microcontroller and

readily available materials for the housing (Suffian et al., 2021).

2.2.2 Benefits/uses of Automatic Pet Feeder

According to M Ibrahim et al. (2019), by modifying the pet's size and nutrition, it is made

to be convenient for pet owners and to be set at the needed feeding amount and time. The two

basic methods for dispensing pet food from the container are linear motion and rotational to

linear motion. The mechanism is separated into intention and action. The goal of this research is

to create
an automated pet feeder system that can provide the right amounts of pet food at a predetermined

time.

As stated by Archana P., Bojraj R., Rajeshraj P., Sakthivel K., Saravanan N. (2021), when

the pet owner is away at work, they are constantly concerned about the care of their pet,

particularly canines, and felines. The pets in the house will be fed once every eight hours, and

thus a comparison is observed using a mobile application. It's a brilliant idea to keep the animals

from starving when no one is around, and everyone is preoccupied with their daily tasks and

employment at work or in business. The cost of considering a pet has decreased because of the

introduction of such equipment on the market. Because of the relationship between a

programming framework and a portable application, such an arrangement is becoming

increasingly popular around the world.

Pet ownership requires a lot of commitment. This entails keeping them company,

expressing your worries, and of course, feeding them on schedule and properly. Because not

everyone has experience with pets, it can be difficult and time-consuming to take care of your

pet’s diet. Overeating and obesity are two of the top health issues affecting pets. While they are

younger, especially, they typically accept whatever amount is handed to them. Numerous adult

pets are fed in an unscientific manner, which may shorten their lives later. The fact that owners

might not always be at home on a regular basis presents another issue with feeding dogs. Owners

are constantly troubled by the thought that they still need to take care of a starved young fellow

at home while they are preoccupied with personal plans. To address owners’ concerns about

feeding, the researchers are developing a phone-controlled automatic pet feeder that can dispense

the right amount of food at the right time, depending on the sort of animals that are requesting it

(Babu, Kumar, & Kuppusamy, 2019).

 The device has a closed-camera circuit that allows owners to keep an eye on their pets

while they are away from home and is made to assist with feeding. To save users time and energy

when feeding their dogs, the machine is also readily constructed and designated. Also, the

machine is identified by utilizing an innovative take on an old idea that incorporates an internet

connection. Among the machine’s cutting-edge parts are the server motor and the Arduino UNO

Rev3 employed in a bottle that can endure for a week with electrical connections. It serves to

automatically distribute meals based on the timer and the amount of food available. Furthermore,

most of the machines on the market today operate manually and do not make use of IOT. Users

may use this Smart Pet Feeder automatically and avoid worrying about where their pets are by

using it (Daud, 2020).

As stated by Jung (2016), in this innovative system, animals publish on social networking

sites by depressing a pedal. Researchers designed a pet feeder with a camera, pedal, and internet

connection so that animals may post. Researchers also created an Android app to read and

compose Facebook stories, open the trays for pet food, and manage the machine remotely. The

device will simplify our lives and make sharing and remembering easier.

According to Tahir, N. H. M., Mohamad, S. N., Azimi, F. H., Aw, S. R., Tarmizi, W. F.

W., & Zain, M. L. M. (2022), The invention of the automatic cat feeder allowed for the control of

the cat's diet by simply providing enough food, in addition to feeding the cat on time. The level

of cat food inside the bowl can be detected using an ultrasonic sensor, and the amount of food

can then be adjusted and released appropriately. Consequently, it results in less food being

wasted.

Swarnakar, R., Jayarajan, A., Nirwan, S., & Shah, P. (2017) states that the goal of this

research is to automate the system to decrease manual labor and save labor time. This has to do

with a system device that provides fish with a set amount of food at the chosen time. The basic
idea behind the working model is to regulate how much food is fed to the fish tank unit at various

time intervals. The prototype, which combines mechanical and electrical components, precisely

produces the right amount of food at the right time by rotating a stepper motor in steps, which

reduces labor costs. This aids in distributing food evenly across the water body and feeds the fish

on its own after a day, making the system accurate and dependable.

2.2.3 Different Ways to Build Automatic Pet Feeder Using Arduino

According to Instructables (2017), the Automated Arduino Pet Feeder is a straight -

orward design and makes use of supplies that can be found in most homes. A little piece of

cardboard, an Arduino UNO board, a plastic bottle, and a servo motor are needed. The servo’s

signal pin must be connected to Arduino pin #9, the VCC and GND pins must be connected to

5V VCC (Microbially Connected), and the mold must be rotated to one end of the plastic bottle.

To keep the dry food blocked, the servo needs to be able to maintain the same order. Users can

install the Arduino IDE from windows to complete the SW configuration.

A servo motor is activated when movement is detected by a PIR Sensor, which is used in

the construction of the pet feeder. In order to communicate with the feeder using a mobile device,

it is connected to an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module and a Freeboard dashboard. Arduino Uno, Servo,

Thin Speaker, Servo (input), Controller, and Power are required for this design. The components,

which may be found in a speaker, servo, and PIR mount, are intended to hold the various

components of the project together. The feeder is connected to the internet by the IoT Wi-Fi

device ESP8266-01, which also offers new options like remote control, talking to your dog, and

videotaping your dog. For the project, a unique dashboard is made using Freeboard. Buyers can
choose to add a range finder, a weight sensor to determine the weight of the food in the bowl,

LED lights to display the "status," and a range finder to determine the dog's proximity and refill

the bowl as necessary. These tools can be used in other builds utilizing these components because

they are modular (How to Build a Simple Arduino-based Automatic Pet Feeder, 2018).

According to Khatri, P. (2018), building an Arduino-based automatic pet feeder that uses

a DS3231 RTC (Real-Time Clock) Module, a 16*2 LCD to display the time using an Arduino

UNO, a servo motor to rotate the containers, and a 4*4 Matrix Keypad to manually set the pet's

feeding time with the aid of a 16x2 LCD. Most electronic projects employ the RTC (Real Time

Clock) module DS3231 to keep track of the date and time. The food then falls into the pet's bowl

after the servo motor has opened the container gate. The time and date will be shown on the 16*2

LCD after the code has been uploaded to the Arduino Uno. Pushing the button causes the 4*4

matrix keypad to be used to enter the time. The gate closes as the Servo motor rotates once more,

quickly, concluding the procedure. This is how your pet receives food when you enter the room

automatically.

2.2.4 Functions of Automatic Pet Feeder

In the article Simple Automatic Arduino Pet Feeder by theoryCIRCUIT (2022), using an

Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04 distance sensor and a Micro Servo SG90 motor, this Simple

Automated Arduino Pet Feeder allows any Pet to feed whenever they want. It uses an empty

water bottle and a small bowl with a paperboard attached to a servo motor and an ultrasonic

distance sensor in front of the water bottle. The Arduino Uno board is programmed so that

when the pet

approaches the bowl within 30 cm, the servo motor opens the paperboard knob and pours food

into the bowl before closing the bottle and waiting for 50 seconds.

According to Sedigh, S. (2016), many animal feeding systems can be built to work

automatically, allowing the user to select the criteria that will determine when the feed is

dispensed. These factors may include time, weight, or even proximity, which relies on where the

animal is in relation to the feed distribution system. In a system like this, sensors are used to

entirely automate the feed process. To make a system like this more effective and user-friendly, it

is possible to include other components in addition to just a single sensor. In a system like this,

the integration of items like LCD screens, weight sensors, and servomotors allows each

individual component to work together to create an effective and simple way to manage and

monitor feed levels. Although there are systems like this in the real world, they are frequently

complex, offer a lot of useless services, and may be very expensive for someone on a student

budget. These difficulties frequently cause students to give up on the idea of an automated feeder

and settle instead for human feeding, which is sometimes filthy, frequently late, and unreliable.

All these elements must be taken into account when protecting the life of another being, and they

should be taken into account during the development of this project.

The Dual Channel H-Bridge Motor Driver Shield is the ideal solution to the problem of

using the motor driver on the Arduino. It makes it possible to control two DC motors or a stepper

motor. Its features include PWM control, adjustable current limits, and a prototyping area for

adding its own components. A TFT LCD and real-time clock display the current time, and a

mobile phone can be controlled remotely from another mobile phone (De Domonico, 2016).
 In the journal article Automatic Pet Feeder by Kank and Gaikwad (2018), the automatic

pet feeder uses a variety of sensors to operate effectively. The pet feeder will be equipped with a

proximity or distance sensor, and when the pet is detected near it, the food from the bottle will be

dispensed into the bowl. The food is served whenever the distance sensor detects motion at a

specific distance from the pet feeder, i.e., as the pet approaches the bowl. The locking mechanism

will be powered by a servo motor. It will resemble the locking system that is angle-controlled.

Together, these elements will determine whether an automatic pet feeder functions effectively.

According to Zhou, Z. and Ling, F. (2016), the phone-controlled automatic pet feeder is

designed to give users a means to feed their pets accurately and automatically. It is made up of

two components: the hardware (the actual feeder) and an Android-compatible piece of software.

Users of the app can enter data on their pets, such as their name, weight, and feeding frequency.

The hardware where the animals can consume their food will then receive the information. There

can be a total of two pets at once. This project's outcomes are fruitful and inspiring. Testing on

both hardware and software yields positive outcomes. Within a 15 cm range, the gadget can

recognize various pets and dispense a predetermined amount of food based on user input.

Synthesis

In the current study, there were overlapping concepts and variations in the review of

related literature. The researchers develop a clear comparison that aids in the development of the

current study.

In the topic of Introduction to Arduino, all literature and study that are relevant to

Arduino are specified. The article of Arduino, S. A. is related to the researcher’s study because it

discusses
the main points of Arduino and what it is to the community. The study by Kumar states the

technology used in the smart pet feeder, which is GSM and Arduino technology. It also discusses

how the owner can use SMS to control the feeding schedule of their pets from anywhere in the

world at any time. Likewise, an article by Betran shares the same concept which uses a texting

system from his mobile device.

Meanwhile, on the topic of the benefits/uses of Automatic Pet Feeder several literature

and studies discussed how it is made to be convenient for pet owners to leave their pets to go out

for work or important gatherings while still taking utmost care for them and their feeding. As

stated by Archana P., Bojraj R., Rajeshraj P., Sakthivel K., Saravanan N., the pets in the house

will be fed once every eight hours, and thus a comparison is observed using a mobile application.

It's a brilliant idea to keep the animals from starving when no one is around, and everyone is

preoccupied with their daily tasks and employment at work or in business. To address owners’

concerns about feeding, the researchers are developing a phone-controlled automatic pet feeder

that can dispense the right amount of food at the right time, depending on the sort of animals that

are requesting it (Babu, Kumar, & Kuppusamy, 2019). In short, the basic idea behind the

working model is to regulate how much food is fed, giving it on the right amount of time, and

saving the users time and energy when feeding their pets.

On the other hand, on the topic of the different ways to build automatic pet feeder using

Arduino, the literature is centered on the design of the smart pet feeder and the materials needed

to build the said model. One example is the study of Instructable,s which states that the

Automated Arduino Pet Feeder is a straightforward design and makes use of supplies that can be

found in most homes. A little piece of cardboard, an Arduino UNO board, a plastic bottle, and a

servo motor are needed. The servo’s signal pin must be connected to Arduino pin #9, the VCC

and GND pins

must be connected to 5V VCC (Microbially Connected), and the mold must be rotated to one end

of the plastic bottle. To keep the dry food blocked, the servo needs to be able to maintain the

same order. Users can install the Arduino IDE from windows to complete the SW configuration.

Lastly, on the topic Functions of Automatic Pet Feeder the researchers gathered similar

literature to state how exactly are we going to use the smart pet feeder once we have built it.

According to Sedigh, S., many animal feeding systems can be built to work automatically,

allowing the user to select the criteria that will determine when the feed is dispensed. These

factors may include time, weight, or even proximity, which relies on where the animal is in

relation to the feed distribution system. Sedigh S. also stated that although there are systems to be

bought in the real world, they are frequently complex, offer a lot of useless services, and may be

very expensive for someone on a student budget. These difficulties frequently lead students to

abandon the idea of an automated feeder in favor of human feeding, which is occasionally filthy,

frequently late, and unreliable. All of these factors must be considered when protecting the life of

another being, and they must be considered during the development of this project.
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Project Design

Figure 2: Design for the Developmental Automated Pet Feeder

The research is in the form of descriptive-development research. The method used by the

researchers will help describe the progress and development of automated pet feeder with water

dispenser. This study investigated results of performance of the automated dispenser concerning

its uses in certain situations such as unavailability of pet owner.

Figure 2 illustrates the automated pet feeder design. There are several buttons at the top of

the prototype, as indicated in the figure, and each of these buttons has a distinct role. The two

buttons indicate how many grams your pet needs; the first is 250 grams, and the second is 150

grams. The third button is an arrow button, followed by a confirmation button. There is also a

black button that serves as the prototype's power button, and the LCD is located next to it. The
time is displayed on the LCD. The modules and the Arduino Uno are protected from water and

dry food by being placed within the white casing where the buttons are attached. The sides of the

prototype are constructed of translucent acrylic, which keeps the food inside intact and allows the

owner to see if there is enough water and food in it. In addition, there are two bowls, one for

water and one for dry food. Underneath the bowl is a load cell that can detect whether the bowl

contains content; if it does not, the prototype will automatically pump and fill it with food. In

terms of power, the battery holder is in the back, and the prototype required three (3) 4500

mAh

rechargeable batteries to fully run and function.

Figure 3: Conical structure created by using ply board to reserve the pet food

The conical food reservoir's end portion is connected to a small PVC pipe. A servo motor is

mounted on the pipe and connected to a round disk; this servo motor is used to regulate the food

flow. Underneath the PVC pipe, there is a funnel. The funnel's end portion is joined with a 28 cm

connecting pipe. Pet food will be delivered to the plastic bowl through the pipe and funnel at the
predetermined time when the motor rotates. Just above the load cell is the bowl. The food in the

bowl will be measured with the aid of the load cell. The user-configured time, weight, and time

gap are displayed on an LCD display. The amount of food to be supplied and the interval between

supplies will be set using the keyboard. The Arduino Uno board, which is based on the Microchip

ATmega328P microcontroller, serves as the overall circuit's brain. The prototype's overall height

is under three and a half feet. The institution's scrap yard provided all the assembled connecting

pieces.

For those who own pets but are too busy to care for them, an automatic pet feeder driven by

an Arduino board is a need. This product is made to automatically fill the container with the

appropriate amount of food for the pet's diet. This will free up the owner's time and prevent them

from worrying that their pet won't eat on time while they are away from home.

Function of Materials

The purpose of the components used to make the Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder is

described here.

Arduino UNO – manages the output of servos, motors, relays, and LEDs.

Light sensor TEMT6000 – operates as one of the resistors in the divider, and the voltage on the

SIG pin changes in response to variations in the light hitting it.

Distance Sensor Sharp GP2Y0A21YK – it is a distance measuring unit that can be used for

obstacle detection for robots.

RFID MFRC522 - is intended to transmit data to RFID tags at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Buzzer - signals the presence of food attracts your pet to come and eat.

Connecting Wires - it is utilized to establish electrical conductivity between two electrical circuit

devices.

Motor SG90 - a well-liked tiny servo motor that is frequently utilized in DIY and hobby projects.

RTC DS1307 - offers information on the seconds, minutes, hours, day, date, month, and year.

Arduino IDE - interacts with the Arduino hardware and uploads applications to it.

Bottle - for our prototype, it will serve as a tool.

Metal Plate 35x35 cm - This device will be utilized to construct the prototype's mechanical

portion.

2 pieces of hard material for the food dispenser opening/closing - The food dispenser now has

a good opening due to this. This must also be secured to the metal plate by drilling or tape in

order to prevent it from collapsing if a lot of food is placed in the dispenser.

Project Development

The researchers came up with the concept to build an automatic pet feeder controlled by

an Arduino after first observing the issues that are now existing with pets that are constantly left

at home. To make the concept's specifics evident, the notion is first explored with the students'

subject professors. The researchers began working on their main research paper components after

receiving approval from their adviser for their concept. The researchers sought clarifications and

consulted with their subject teacher while they worked on the main components of the research

paper in order to be guided.

After the first two chapters were finished, the researchers started to compile and finalize

their plan for creating their product.

 The following is the strategy for creating the product: The researchers first make a list of

all the components they'll require. the components required for the automatic pet feeder powered

by an Arduino. Following the completion of the materials list, the researcher will go on to the

budget calculation; once the final budget has been reached, the researcher will decide their target

date for the product's manufacturing, which is currently planned to take place between April and

June of 2023.

Table 1. Components of Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder

Materials Implementations Illustration

HARDWARE

It is an open-source electronics

platform based on easy-to-use hardware

and software. It consists of both a

physical programmable circuit board

Arduino UNO and a piece of software, or IDE that

runs on your computer; used to write

and upload computer code to the

physical board.

One of the resistors in the divider

Light sensor network is the TEMT600. The

TEMT6000 resistance value changes as light strikes

the phototransistor surface, affecting

 the voltage on the SIG pin. The value is

read using an Arduino or another

microcontroller, and the brightness and

light intensity are then measured.

The GP2Y0A21 Sharp distance sensor

is a great way to add obstacle

Distance Sensor avoidance or motion sensing to your

Sharp robot or any other project. With a

GP2Y0A21YK detection range of 4″ to 32″ (10 cm to

80 cm) and an analog voltage indicating

the distance, this sensor is very easy to

use.

RFID MFRC522 A tag affixed to the object that needs to

be recognized and a reader that scans

the tag make up the two primary parts

of an RFID system.

A reader is made up of an antenna that

produces a high frequency

electromagnetic field and a radio

frequency module. In contrast, tags are

often passive devices (it does not have

a
 battery). It is made up of an antenna for

receiving and transmitting signals as

well as a microprocessor for processing

and storing information.

Buzzer The signal that determines food

arrival is a buzzer sound that invites

your pet to come and eat.

Connecting wires It is used for establishing electrical

conductivity between two devices of an

electric circuit. They possess negligible

resistance to the passage of current. It

is usually made of copper and is

provided with insulation to make

electrical

connections between two points.

Motor SG90 The SG90 is a well-liked tiny servo

motor that is frequently used in DIY

and hobby projects. It is a little,

inexpensive servo motor that has a

maximum torque of 1.8 kg-cm and can

rotate 180 degrees. Its weight of

around

9 grams and operating range of 4.8 to 6

 volts make it perfect for model control

and small-scale robotics applications.

RTC DS1307 The SG90 is a well-liked tiny servo

motor that is frequently used in DIY

and hobby projects. It is a little,

inexpensive servo motor that has a

maximum torque of 1.8 kg-cm and can

rotate 180 degrees. Its weight of

around 9 grams and operating range of

4.8 to 6 volts make it perfect for model

control

and small-scale robotics applications.

SOFTWARE

Arduino IDE It includes a code editor, a message

area, a text console, a toolbar with

buttons for common functions, and a

series of menus. It communicates with

and uploads programs to the Arduino

hardware.

TOOLS

Bottle (or any food It is to be used as a tool for our

container) prototype. The distance censor will

detect if the food container (or bottle)

is

full or empty.
 Metal Plate 35×25 This tool will be used on building the

cm mechanical part of the prototype. A

drill will be used to make holes onto

the plate for the bottle to attach to.

2 pieces of hard The "lock" system can't stand in the air;

material for the food thus, we need to fix it with a piece of

dispenser hard material. This creates a lovely

opening/closing opening for the food dispenser. To

prevent it from collapsing if a lot of

food is put in the dispenser, this must

also be fastened to the metal plate with

drilling or tape.

The following is a step-by-step procedure for building the mechanical part of the feeder:

Step 1: Fix the bottle on the metal plate

 Make 4 holes on the metal plate with a drill, leaving room for the bowl (the height of the

bowl/food container will determine the distance between the holes), and then attach the

bottle upside down with two wires that are attached to the plate.

 We need to fix the "lock" system with a piece of hard material because it can't stand in the

air. This gives the food dispenser a nice opening. To prevent it from collapsing if you put

a lot of food in the dispenser, this must also be fixed with drilling or taped to the metal
 plate. The metal component is bent on the outside edge, as shown in the image below, to

prevent the lock from being out of alignment.

Step 2: Placing the servo motor

 The motor needs to be fastened to the metal plate. To firmly fasten the servo, we made a

hole in the metal plate. The mechanical mechanism that slides the cover to open and close

the lock must then be connected to the servo motor. The motor is connected to this by

placing a wire in the center of the cover plate (near the edge), and you can use any

material to achieve this. All you need to do is ensure that the cover opens and closes

properly.

 At this moment, you're almost done. Simply mount the feeder wherever you like, preferably

in a secure location where your pet can't destroy it.

 It is advised against curving the wire that links the food dispenser cover to the motor for

better precision because doing so could reduce the motor's force.

Step 3: Assembling the circuit of the food system (Hardware and Software)

 Connecting the light sensor

- The SparkFun Ambient Light Sensor TEMT6000 will be used to determine whether it is

day or night. To choose when and how frequently we release the food, it's critical to

distinguish between the two. The TEMT6000 light sensor has three pins: SIG, GND, and

VCC. It is very easy to connect this sensor to an Arduino board by connecting SIG to an

analog input and VCC to the board's 5V pin. I've decided to use pin A0. The output pin
 SIG functions as a transistor, so the voltage at the pin's output increases in proportion to

the amount of light shining on the sensor.

 Adding the distance sensor

- Since it produces the best results when compared to other distance sensors, The

researchers decided to utilize an analog sensor (the Sharp GP2Y0A21YK) to measure the

distance. The way reflection works is as follows: a signal is sent out, and when it runs

into a barrier, it sends back a signal as well (with a voltage value that changes depending

on how close or far the barrier is); the voltage needs to be translated into a distance.

- The GP2Y0A21YK will be positioned above the food container, measuring the bottle's

level of emptiness (i.e., the amount of food) before starting the automated feeder

function. The system will determine if the food container (or bottle) is full or empty using

this distance sensor. How this program will function:

1. The automatic method will only add a little amount of food over a short distance;

2. Your pet will receive a half quantity of food for a medium distance;

3. The automatic system will release the entire piece of food when traveling a long distance.

Here, the distance denotes the measurement from the location where the distance sensor was

mounted to the base of the food container. Given that the sensor's range is 10-80 cm, it must be

10 cm above the top of the food container in order for the sensor to accurately measure distance.

 Determine the real time

 - The RTC DS1307 model will be used to calculate the time. A system that measures real

time is called a real time clock. A crystal oscillator with a base frequency of 32.768 kHz

powers this circuit. The concept is comparable to watches. A precise frequency is

produced by an electrical oscillator function based on the mechanical resonance of crystal

vibration. The computer tracks date and time using this frequency.

- Because it has a battery that maintains continuity even when the system is off, it is a

useful module.

 Adding the RFID

- The RFID will serve as the system's key. The RFID will read the value from the tag when

your pet is close to the feeder and determine whether to dispense more food or not. The

values from the tags are stored in EEPROM memory by the RFID system, which

communicates using SPI. In this scenario, the data will still be there in the memory even if

the system malfunctions (for example, because of a power supply problem).

- Two RFID tags are present. For testing purposes, the blue one will be attached to an

outsider (i.e., essentially not your pet/something else) and the red one will be attached to a

pet. The system performs two tasks:

1. Day: The feeder will discharge food three times every four hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A

buzzer that beckons your pet to come and eat serves as the signal for the arrival of food. When

the sound is made, the animal will recognize that it is time to eat and move closer to its bowl

(food container). The food will release when the RFID reader is close to the tag.
2. Night: No sounds are made; however, the pet will receive a single feed if it approaches the

RFID after 0am.

 Adding the Motor

- The servo motor SG90 will be used. Wide angle for servo is present (0-180 degrees). We

will regulate how much food is released when the "lock" is opened or locked using a

locking technique akin to an angle-controlled lock.

Listed below are some crucial details:

- 0 degrees: "Lock" is fully closed; therefore, no food will be released;

- 180 degrees: The "Lock" is completely opened, allowing all the food to be freed;

- The range between 0-180: You can select the amount of food you wish to release.

The basic objective of the researchers is to build one (1) Automated Pet Feeder powered by

Arduino. The product will be developed, tested, and evaluated by the researchers to see if it

complies with the standard.

The product will work in accordance with the flowchart illustrated.

 Figure 4: Flowchart of the Arduino-powered Automatic Pet Feeder

Framework of the Study

Figure 5: Framework of the production of Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder

 The manufacturing procedure needed to create the Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder

are shown in the figure above.

Estimated Budget Breakdown

Table 2. Budget Estimation for materials, equipments, and tools.

Components Quantity Price

Arduino UNO 1 Php 1,500

Light sensor TEMT6000 1 Php 47

Distance Sensor Sharp 1 Php 350

GP2Y0A21YK

RFID MFRC522 1 Php 119

Buzzer 1 Php 59

Connecting wires 30 Php 150

Motor SG90 1 Php 93

RTC DS1307 1 Php 65

Arduino IDE 1 Free to download

Bottle (or any food 1 Php 20

container)

Metal Plate 35×25 cm 1 Php 73

 2 pieces of hard material 1 Can be found in home or

for the food dispenser school

opening/closing

TOTAL Php 2, 476

Timeline

Figure 6: Anticipated time frame for producing the Arduino-powered automatic pet feeder
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