Cats Keeper: Human-Cat Interaction
We worked on a CatsKeeper project that can be considered as part of a smart home. However our implementation works as a helper for human - cats interaction, allowing a remote communication of cats with humans and vice versa.
We have implemented several types of cats - computer interactions: audio recognition, video recognition, and a push button. And a human-computer interaction by a telegram bot.
Telegram bot
The main interaction with humans is done through a telegram bot. It can send messages to inform the pets owners about events or something that a pet would want to say about. It also supports the reverse communication by answering on a command entered by human Can be used in a private dialog with the cat or added to a group (i.e. family chat).
After receiving the messages, some direct human - cats interaction may be required.
Audio recognition
Detects meowing and sends a message.
- sends a message only in one of the cases:
- meowing just started
- meowing is continuous for too long
- after a big pause (considered as meowing finished and starts again)
Can be used next to a door to ask the human to open the door or for a mechanism to open the door automatically. If using several microphones, can be used for several different doors. Was tested with audio files and with recorded cats sounds.
Video recognition
- Human sends a message (command /whereareyou).
- Bot gives a reply if camera found the cat or not
Can be used to know the cat’s position or to collect statistics of cat’s presence in a particular spot.
We used only one camera. If using several, one can be installed in every room of a house and by tracking all of them the human will know where exactly the cat is.
Arduino
First, we needed to find an arduino with a wifi module. Once found, we soldered the contacts to ease its use on a breadboard.
- On the start arduino connects to wifi network
- Once a button is pressed, it send a message to telegram bot
Can be used in the kitchen for cats to ask for food which can be given by a human after receiving the message or by a smart food-giving pets bowl.
