CatBot: Automated Cat Laser

The CatBot is an autonomous laser toy for your cat. You may say "But Joe, isn't the laser pointer the best toy for the lazy cat owner?" I'd have to say no, the CatBot takes one step further.

Using two servos, an Arduino and a cheap $3 laser you can provide your cat with endless fun.

Video of the CatBot in all of it's Laser Zeppelin glory  below:

Step 1: The Problem

I was buying pet food and saw a $3 laser from PetCo. I thought the cat might like it. I was wrong. The cat became obsessed. Constantly grabbing the toy off of the coffee table. But she only wants to play for 1 minute then sit and stare at it. So you think, OK I guess she is bored. You put it down....

And she's back pawing at it.

The CatBot is the solution.

Comments

[stringstretcher]

I like the random wait time... mine didn't have that. Good instructable.

[davelehardt]

Got an Uno starter kit and the parts for this as a first project for my son and I. A couple of questions - how did you connect the servos to the breadboard? Guessing there's a socket I probably need to get. Also, if you have one, could we see how you connected everything on the breadboard?

With more cats than people in our house, we're looking forward to seeing how they like this. Thanks for a great idea and project!

[twinegarner]

Any further verification on the name of "Hillman Hobby Parts" ? I've been searching high and low for them (Google, Lowe's, Hillman's website) and Everything just keeps linking back to this article.

Am I late to the party on a discontinued product?

[wombat_boy]

Does it matter which type of Arduino Uno you use?

[wombat_boy]

Cool! I have to try it... Even though I don't have a cat.

[cornbread ninja]

Thank you *kindly* for making me aware of those Hillman fasteners. Wowsers. And Lowe's seems to be the only game in town for them.

[bouder]

Joe,
That is the coolest thing ever. My three cats, and um my yellow lab, love the laser toy! I will challenge my son to make this!

[nissim.hadar]

Hi,

Is anyone aware of a possible patent infringement?
Look at http://www.google.com/patents/US5443036

Method of exercising a cat Kevin T. Amiss et a

Be careful ..................

[fly_boy_bc]

That kind of a patent is a joke. To break such a patent all you have to do is prove any one of the following:

1....Two experts in the field (Cat toys I OR electronics guess) find it to be "self evident"
2....It has been sold as a product before the patent was issued.
3....A substantially identical idea has been published ANYWHERE before the patent date.

I would be willing to bet ALL of the above can be demonstrated for this device.

This patent will NEVER hold.

"Easy clips" magnetic clip on sunglasses are a perfect example of this. They got a patent for something that has been continuously available in retail stores since the late 1600's

The patent never stopped anybody from making magnetic clip on's.

[ntewinkel]

Wow, I can't believe they actually got a patent for what seems to be nothing more than a laser pointer! And yeah from what I understand it's ok as long as you're not selling it, plus this robot toy is very different (also coming from not-a-lawyer).

[Michael_oz]

Patents are only of concern if you want to sell a CatBot and then they would have to press their claim that the CatBot is not different to their handheld device.

He says, not being a lawyer...

[nissim.hadar]

The patent does say a handheld device ......... :)

[masynmachien]

This particular patent is a good laugh.

This Ible is much more.

[nissim.hadar]

If you think this is a stupid patent then look at 6055910...... A rocket fired by human gases ...

[Drumbum8]

Who else thought of Portal when they say the first picture of this ible?

Great project man!!!

[browfurd]

I actually got the wrong idea when I first saw the title of "Cat Laser."

[borninlyoko]

I did too :) Combine it with a portal turret instructable and you have awesome

[kai055]

firebox sell something like this, there called a folicat and i does the same thing

[CelticLock]

Where did you get the Servos??

[joe]

You can get them from SparkFun: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10333

-Joe

[CelticLock]

Awesome, thanks for the guide!

[nax]

I've been thinking about the potential for an AI version of this, using a motion detector to assess the effectiveness of different laser actions in getting the cats to move.

I think it would make an interesting AI learning project. And it probably wouldn't produce a a cat-robot alliance to conquer humanity.

[borninlyoko]

My idea for this is a bit simpler, simply moving away upon action from the cat.

[borninlyoko]

Add an ultrasonic sensor or some other object sensing device that doesn't need a separate receiver, and modify the code a bit, you could have it move every time the cat gets close. :P That would absolutely drive your cat crazy. Or you could add in a delay so that the cat gets the satisfaction of slapping it, only to have it disappear. :P Great Instructable though, I'll have to try it sometime and hope my cats don't decide to go after the arm itself :P

[(Ramen)]

Extraordinary! I want one, and I don't even have a pet..

[oilitright]

Just don't think for a minute this is for cats only, I have 4 d, anything ogs who all chase laser pointers, flashlights, shadows and more.

[vincent7520]

Congratulations Joe !
You helped me one step further in my laziness.
Now how about a robot that brings cat food from the dealer to the dish, the the same to take care of it's waste ???… I do need that !…
Thank you Joe.

[Kanein Encanto]

Please see the opening few minutes of 'Back to the Future' for some good refrence on automated pet feeding. :)

[pietzeekoe]

I dont wanna be a wet towel but I heard it can mess up a cat if you let him play with this too much because he will never catch the thing he is hunting for.
So use in moderation.

[askjerry]

I saw those spiffy parts in the drawer at Lowes... and I was thinking... "hummm... what can I make with these?"

So now I have a great weekend project... THANKS!

[stringstretcher]

Purrrfect! I need a cat. Gotta get a cat.

[RC Guy]

Nice IDEA you have here joe

[joe]

Thanks RC Guy.

-Joe

[RC Guy]

Add a Viewable laser and , with a gesture control system + required amount of joes bots to cover your whole house area and you have a home laser protection system which is like so cool.