PAWTRACK PRO

Meet PawTrack Pro, the ultimate smart activity monitor designed to keep track of your pet's movements and ensure their health and happiness. In today's fast-paced world, ensuring that our beloved pets are getting the right amount of exercise can be challenging. PawTrack Pro bridges this gap by providing real-time data on your pet's activity levels, helping you stay informed about their daily exercise routines.

Equipped with advanced motion detection technology, PawTrack Pro logs your pet's movements throughout the day. By integrating with the Blynk app, it offers you easy access to activity data and visual graphs right on your smartphone. This innovative device not only helps you monitor your pet's health but also brings peace of mind knowing that your furry friend is staying active and healthy.

Crafted with simplicity in mind, PawTrack Pro is easy to assemble using basic electronics and readily available materials. Its lightweight design ensures comfort, making it suitable for pets of all sizes. Whether you're at home or away, PawTrack Pro keeps you connected with your pet's well-being, turning every pet owner's dream into reality.

P.S. This project was personally crafted for my beloved cousin, who being indulged in studies could not focus on pet health, and to bring a one-stop solution PawTrack was made.

Supplies

Below are the materials required to build PawTrack Pro, along with purchase links from Amazon India:

1. NodeMcu (ESP8266) https://www.amazon.in/Generic-Nodemcu-Esp8266-Internet-Development/dp/B07262H53W/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1
2. ADXL345 Accelerometer https://www.amazon.in/GY-291-ADXL345-Accelerometer-Gyroscope-Converter/dp/B0CBCB5HGZ/ref=sr_1_2?sr=8-2
3. LED(with Resistor) https://www.amazon.in/Insignia-Labs-Electronic-Components-Transistors/dp/B0D5CX8TLK/ref=sr_1_5?sr=8-5
4. Small Bread Board/ PCB https://www.amazon.in/Robodo-Electronics-OTH20-Breadboard-Prototyping/dp/B07B946ZNX/ref=sr_1_4?sr=8-4
5. Jumper Wires https://www.amazon.in/ApTechDeals-Jumper-Female-breadboard-jumper/dp/B074J9CPV3/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6
6. Small Plastic Box/Enclosure to protect the Components https://www.amazon.in/Electronic-Spices-Enclosure-Adapters-Projects/dp/B0CTHFRR25/ref=sr_1_5?sr=8-5
7. Velcro or Elastic Band to attach the tracker to collar
8. Micro USB for Programming
9. Power supply
10. Tape and other adhesives.

These materials are readily available and affordable, making Paw

Track Pro an accessible project for pet owners and enthusiasts. Assemble your PawTrack Pro, connect it to the Blynk app, and start monitoring your pet's activity to ensure they lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

Step 1: Set Up Blynk Account and App

Download the Blynk app:

• Find and download the Blynk app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Create a new account:

• Open the Blynk app.
• Sign up for a new account or log in if you already have an account.

Create a new project:

• Tap the "+" icon to create a new project.
• Select "NodeMCU" as the device.
• Choose "Wi-Fi" as the connection type.
• Tap "Create".
• Copy the Auth Token sent to your email. You'll need this token for the code.

Step 2: Set Up the NodeMCU

1. Install the Arduino IDE:
2. Download and install the Arduino IDE from the Arduino website.
3. Install the ESP8266 Board:
4. Open the Arduino IDE.
5. Go to File > Preferences.
6. In the "Additional Board Manager URLs" field, add http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json.
7. Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager, search for esp8266, and install it.
8. Install the Blynk Library:
9. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.
10. Search for Blynk and install the Blynk library.

Step 3: Connect the Accelerometer and LED to NodeMCU

1. ADXL345 Accelerometer:
2. VCC to 3V on NodeMCU.
3. GND to GND on NodeMCU.
4. SDA to D2 on NodeMCU.
5. SCL to D1 on NodeMCU.
6. LED:
7. Longer leg (anode) to D5 through a resistor (220Ω).
8. Shorter leg (cathode) to GND.

The pics attached give you the idea how circuit is made, feel free to refer to the circuit diagram.

Step 4: Upload Code to NodeMCU

1. Open the Arduino IDE and paste the following code:
2. Modify the Code:
3. Replace "YourAuthToken" with the Auth Token from Blynk.
4. Replace "YourSSID" with your Wi-Fi network name.
5. Replace "YourPassword" with your Wi-Fi password.
6. Select the NodeMCU Board:
7. Go to Tools > Board > NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module).
8. Select the Port:
9. Go to Tools > Port and select the port connected to the NodeMCU.
10. Upload the Code:
11. Click the upload button (right arrow) to send the code to the NodeMCU.

Step 5: Set Up Blynk App

1. Open your project in the Blynk app.
2. Add a Value Display Widget:
3. Tap the "+" icon to add a widget.
4. Choose "Value Display".
5. Bind it to Virtual Pin V1.
6. Set the reading frequency to PUSH.
7. Add a Chart Widget:
8. Tap the "+" icon to add a widget.
9. Choose "Chart".
10. Bind it to Virtual Pin V1.
11. Set the reading frequency to PUSH.

For any troubleshoot or other guidance regarding Blynk refer to this user friendly website.

Step 6: Assemble the Tracker

1. Place the NodeMCU, accelerometer, and battery pack inside the small enclosure.
2. Make a small hole in the enclosure for the LED to be visible.
3. Secure the enclosure with tape or glue.
4. Attach the power supply.

I used a strap and hook over the battery pack and the enclosure.

Step 7: Attach the Tracker to Your Pet

1. Use Velcro or an elastic band to attach the tracker to your pet’s collar.
2. Ensure it is secure but not too tight, allowing your pet to move comfortably.

In my case I used the hook, and compartment to attach over the collar.

Since, I mentioned in beginning of this instructable, this is a gift for pet of my cousin, so I'll pack it up in nice wrapping, and ship it over to them!

Step 8: Testing and Observing

Before I shipped over the package, We did some testing and observations in order to help the audience out!

1. Turn on the tracker and let your pet move around.
2. The LED will light up when the pet is active, indicating movement is detected.
3. Open the Blynk app to see real-time activity data and graphs.
4. This is the procedure to use PAWTRACK PRO yourself.

Above are the images regarding data on our device, as we performed some random movements to check the functionality, feel free to refer to them.

Step 9: Conclusion and Thanks

Conclusion

The PawTrack Pro: Smart Activity Monitor for Pets is an innovative solution designed to help pet owners keep track of their pets' activity levels effortlessly. By integrating basic electronics with IoT functionality through the Blynk app, PawTrack Pro offers a practical and real-time way to monitor your pet's health and well-being. This project is not only easy to assemble but also provides a meaningful application of technology in everyday life, ensuring your pets stay active and healthy.

Thanks

Thank you for taking the time to explore the PawTrack Pro project. Your interest and enthusiasm in creating a better life for our beloved pets are truly appreciated. We hope this guide has inspired you to build your own activity tracker and that you have fun making and using it. Best of luck with your project, and we can't wait to see how your PawTrack Pro benefits your furry friends!

If you need any further assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out. Happy building!