SKYNET
After dabbling with Arduino's for a while, the logical next step was the Raspberry Pi.
​My first real project is the building of a 'garden defence turret'. Originally intended to repel the many neighbourhood cats from our chickens and rabbits. It now seems the protection isn't quite necessary, No need to stop though.
The objective of the machine is to observe the garden by camera and determine if a cat enters. Once detected the system should aim for and fire (with water) at the cat.
A rough draft of the current code can be found here.
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As I had no access to advanced tools at the time, the first build is made with the same tools I used for renovating my home, so it's a bit crude. :)
Currently the 2nd (or 3rd really) version is being build, this time using a lasercutter to help me. The project has been on hold for a while when the home extention and bathroom were being built.
2017-08-31 - Great succes!
I've gotten the Google Cloud Vision Api working in Python. (remember I'm just a mechanical engineer ;) ).
On the right are the pictures the camera took during the day with the labels Google has identified for them. The pictures were taken by the camera when movement was detected. By no means is the motion detection perfect, but that is where Google should help with qualifying the photos.
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SKYNET 2.0;
First iteration
The redesign of the turret is largely completed. The biggest change is that all vulnerable parts are now in housed in a 'climate-controlled' enclosure.
The servo's and all electronics are placed in a newly designed housing where a seperate Arduino measures the temperature and relative humidity. When the moisture reaches >80%, the temperature is increased.
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All parts on outside of the enclosure are made from stainless steel, PMMA or aluminium.
Skynet 1.0;
Humble beginnings
When I started the project I had no access to 3D-printers or laser cutters yet. The design couldn't be to complex.
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One of the most important requirements was that it should by easily removable from the base. This is accomplished by mounting the turret on a central axis. By removing the nut from the axis, the turret itself slides right of.