C.A.T.E.R. is an Arduino-powered smart pet feeder project designed to help makers build a low-cost automatic cat feeder using cardboard, simple electronics, safe firmware, repeatable build instructions, and a professional engineering workflow.
The project focuses on calibrated feeding, timed ration control, reusable firmware, accessible hardware, reliable documentation, safety, pet consumption tracking, and future monetization through premium build assets, digital builder access, and physical kit expansion.
C.A.T.E.R. is not a random Arduino sketch. It is a complete embedded systems, maker hardware, software engineering, DevOps, data, and product development project.
C.A.T.E.R. means:
Calibrated Automation for Timed Estimated Rations
- Calibrated: the feeder must be adjusted for food size, servo movement, portion amount, mechanical build, and feeding behavior.
- Automation: Arduino controls the feeding cycle.
- Timed: the system supports scheduled or interval-based feeding.
- Estimated: dry food pieces are not perfectly uniform, so the system must be honest about portion accuracy.
- Rations: the project focuses on controlled serving, not uncontrolled food dumping.
Inside the C.A.T.E.R. project, DAISY is the friendly firmware and product identity.
DAISY means:
Domestic Automation and Intelligent Serving Yield
DAISY may represent:
- the firmware assistant identity
- the first cardboard feeder build
- the mascot
- the future NFT PFP character
- the user-facing feeder personality
- the premium builder access identity
- the mobile app personality layer
C.A.T.E.R. is the engineering system.
DAISY is the friendly product face.
The vision is to create a reusable Arduino and cardboard-based automatic feeder system that others can build by following clear instructions.
A builder should be able to:
- Buy the required Arduino-compatible parts.
- Cut the cardboard feeder parts using provided templates.
- Assemble the feeder using a video guide.
- Connect the electronics using a wiring guide.
- Upload the firmware to the Arduino.
- Calibrate the feeder for their dry cat food.
- Test the mechanism safely.
- Track feeding behavior through logs and future app metrics.
- Use the feeder with confidence after proper validation.
The long-term goal is to grow C.A.T.E.R. from a simple DIY feeder into a maker-friendly smart pet feeding ecosystem with hardware, firmware, mobile tracking, data insights, premium templates, and future physical kits.
C.A.T.E.R. is built for:
- Arduino beginners
- embedded systems learners
- makers
- pet owners
- students
- engineers
- hardware hackers
- open hardware contributors
- developers interested in physical computing
- developers interested in product-grade IoT systems
- builders who want a useful low-cost project
The project should remain practical, honest, and buildable.
It should not depend on hype, fake utility, unrealistic promises, or fake feed-to-earn mechanics.
C.A.T.E.R. is:
- a DIY Arduino automatic pet feeder
- a cardboard hardware build system
- a reusable firmware project
- a calibration-based ration dispenser
- a documented engineering project
- a hardware and software product roadmap
- a future mobile pet feeding analytics platform
- a future physical kit concept
- a future premium access product
- a future Daisy-themed PFP builder identity
C.A.T.E.R. is not:
- a feed-to-earn crypto gimmick
- a pet mining project
- a promise of income for feeding pets
- a medical nutrition device
- a replacement for responsible pet care
- a fully precise calorie machine in the MVP
- a product to leave untested with a pet
- a project that should sacrifice safety for hype
- a cloud-first product before the feeder works
- a mobile-app-first product before the dispenser is reliable
The first version of C.A.T.E.R. will control a dry food dispensing mechanism using Arduino.
The MVP will focus on:
- safe startup state
- manual feeding
- timed feeding
- servo-controlled dispensing
- ration cooldown
- portion calibration
- cardboard body design
- repeatable assembly
- clear documentation
- safe testing
Future versions may include:
- real-time scheduling
- EEPROM settings
- sensors
- displays
- ESP32 connectivity
- feeding logs
- mobile dashboards
- local databases
- cloud sync
- premium firmware releases
- NFT-gated builder access
- physical hardware kits
- Use affordable Arduino-compatible parts.
- Use cardboard for the first feeder body.
- Keep the build accessible to beginners.
- Make the mechanical design repeatable.
- Support future printable, laser-cut, acrylic, wood, or 3D printed versions.
- Keep electronics isolated from food and moisture.
- Make the dispenser testable and adjustable.
- Reduce food jams through mechanical design and calibration.
- Support future sensor upgrades without redesigning the whole product.
- Build reusable Arduino firmware.
- Avoid messy one-file logic as the project grows.
- Keep feeding logic separate from hardware control where possible.
- Make servo values configurable.
- Make feed timing configurable.
- Make cooldown behavior configurable.
- Support calibration.
- Support future sensors.
- Support future display modules.
- Support future ESP32 or Wi-Fi upgrade paths.
- Keep behavior predictable and safe.
- Prepare a clean event format for future data logging and mobile app integration.
Python is not the primary firmware language for the Arduino MVP.
Python will be used as the engineering support layer.
Python may be used for:
- calibration analysis
- feeding data analysis
- CSV report generation
- test report generation
- release packaging
- documentation validation
- template validation
- ration estimation research
- simulation tools
- future backend services
Arduino C++ controls the feeder.
Python helps analyze, validate, package, and improve the project.
The MVP does not need a database inside the Arduino firmware.
The future product needs structured data once pet consumption tracking begins.
The project should eventually track:
- pets
- devices
- feeding schedules
- feeding events
- ration estimates
- food profiles
- calibration profiles
- daily totals
- weekly totals
- monthly totals
- yearly totals
- missed feeds
- manual feeds
- jam warnings
- low-food warnings
- device status
- firmware version
- hardware version
The future mobile app should help pet owners understand feeding behavior over time.
The app should eventually support:
- pet profiles
- device profiles
- feeding history
- daily consumption
- weekly consumption
- monthly consumption
- yearly consumption
- estimated calories
- manual feeding logs
- scheduled feed logs
- missed feed alerts
- low-food alerts
- jam alerts
- calibration profiles
- food brand profiles
- charts
- reminders
- exportable reports
- local-first storage
- optional cloud sync later
The app should not make veterinary or medical claims.
It should track and explain feeding data responsibly.
The MVP is the smallest usable version of C.A.T.E.R.
The MVP should include:
- Arduino-compatible board support
- servo motor support
- manual feed button
- timed feed cycle
- configurable servo open position
- configurable servo closed position
- configurable dispense duration
- configurable cooldown duration
- simple serial debug output
- safe default state on startup
- basic cardboard feeder body
- basic hopper
- basic dispensing gate or rotating mechanism
- parts list
- wiring guide
- build guide
- calibration guide
- safety checklist
The MVP does not need:
- Wi-Fi
- cloud sync
- NFT access
- mobile app
- real-time clock
- machine learning
- exact calorie calculation
- computer vision
- advanced sensors
Those come after the feeder mechanism and firmware are reliable.
- Language: Arduino C++
- Framework: Arduino framework
- Developer tooling: PlatformIO
- Beginner tooling: Arduino IDE or Arduino CLI
- Board: Arduino Uno R3 compatible
- Servo control: Arduino Servo library
- Debugging: Serial output
- Storage: none at first, EEPROM later
- Testing: hardware checklists first, PlatformIO tests later
- Arduino Uno R3 compatible board
- Metal gear servo
- External regulated 5V servo power supply
- Push button
- Status LED
- Optional buzzer
- Jumper wires
- Breadboard or simple connector board
- Cardboard body
- Cardboard hopper
- Cardboard chute
- Rotating ration wheel or controlled gate
- Dry cat food for testing
Important power rule:
The servo should not be powered directly from the Arduino 5V pin when using a real feeding mechanism. Use an external 5V supply for the servo and connect the Arduino and servo power supply grounds together.
For the MVP:
- cardboard
- ruler
- utility knife
- hot glue
- tape
- printed cut templates
For later versions:
- SVG templates
- PDF templates
- DXF laser-cut templates
- 3D printable dispenser parts
- acrylic body option
- plywood body option
- food-safe chute insert
Recommended first mechanism:
Rotating portion wheel
A rotating portion wheel is preferred because it can estimate food volume more consistently than a loose gravity gate.
Python should live in a tools layer, not inside the Arduino firmware.
Suggested future Python areas:
- calibration analyzer
- ration estimator
- feeding log analyzer
- CSV exporter
- test report generator
- release packager
- template validator
- data simulator
Recommended app stack:
- Framework: Flutter
- Language: Dart
- State management: Riverpod
- Local database: SQLite
- Charts: fl_chart
- Notifications: local notifications
- Device connection later: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- Cloud sync later: Supabase or a custom backend
The mobile app should be local-first.
Cloud sync should come later only when multi-device access, accounts, backups, or remote monitoring become necessary.
C.A.T.E.R. should use staged data storage.
Arduino-only MVP.
The firmware only tracks runtime behavior and configuration constants.
For storing:
- schedule settings
- servo angles
- dispense duration
- cooldown duration
- calibration profile ID
- last feed timestamp
Use SQLite inside the mobile app.
Stores:
- pet profiles
- food profiles
- feeding events
- ration estimates
- calibration profiles
- daily summaries
- weekly summaries
- monthly summaries
- yearly summaries
- device settings
Use only when the product needs sync, account management, backups, remote monitoring, or premium services.
Cloud candidates:
- Supabase Postgres
- Firebase
- Appwrite
- custom FastAPI plus Postgres
Recommended future direction:
- local-first mobile app with SQLite
- optional Supabase Postgres sync later
C.A.T.E.R. should not be developed by pushing every change directly to main.
The project should use branches, issues, pull requests, reviews, and staged releases.
Recommended branches:
main
develop
feature/*
fix/*
docs/*
hardware/*
release/*
hotfix/*
Stable public release branch.
Only merge into main when work is complete, reviewed, tested, and safe enough to represent the project.
Active integration branch.
Completed feature branches merge into develop before release.
Used for new functionality.
Used for normal bug fixes.
Used for documentation changes.
Used for hardware templates, prototype notes, wiring, and physical build documentation.
Used to prepare versioned releases.
Used for urgent fixes that must patch main.
Recommended workflow:
Create issue
Create branch from issue
Work on branch
Commit small clean changes
Open pull request
Run checks
Review changes
Merge into develop
Test milestone
Merge develop into main
Tag release
Codex should work on branches, not directly on main.
Human review is required before merging Codex-generated work.
C.A.T.E.R. should use GitHub Projects as the main planning board.
Recommended Kanban columns:
Backlog
Ready
In Progress
Blocked
Codex Review
Hardware Test
Human Review
Done
Released
Ideas and tasks not ready to start.
Tasks with enough detail to begin.
Tasks currently being worked on.
Tasks waiting on parts, testing, design decisions, measurements, or missing information.
Tasks that Codex can implement, refactor, document, or inspect.
Tasks that require physical feeder testing.
Tasks that need owner review before merge.
Completed and merged into develop.
Merged into main and included in a tagged release.
Recommended labels:
firmware
hardware
docs
safety
devops
testing
mobile-app
database
ui-ux
python-tools
monetization
nft-access
codex-ready
blocked
release
good-first-task
Recommended milestones:
M0: Repository Foundation
M1: Hardware Prototype
M2: Firmware MVP
M3: Build Documentation
M4: Calibration and Safety Testing
M5: Public MVP Release
M6: Data Logging Foundation
M7: Mobile App MVP
M8: Smart Feeder Upgrade
M9: Monetization Layer
M10: Physical Kit Path
C.A.T.E.R. will be developed like a real engineering product.
The project will follow:
- Agile planning
- DevOps culture
- version control discipline
- issue-based development
- release planning
- documentation-first decisions
- testable milestones
- safety review
- continuous improvement
- community feedback
- hardware validation
- software validation
- product thinking
The goal is to prove that a small Arduino project can still be built with professional engineering habits.
C.A.T.E.R. will be developed through small, testable increments.
The backlog should include work for:
- firmware
- cardboard design
- electronics
- safety
- testing
- documentation
- build video
- mobile app
- database
- Python tools
- branding
- monetization
- NFT access
- future physical kits
Each sprint should produce a useful result.
A sprint may deliver:
- a working firmware behavior
- a tested hardware mechanism
- an improved cardboard template
- a safer feeding cycle
- better documentation
- a release package
- a calibration improvement
- a data schema
- a mobile app screen
- a Python analysis tool
A task is done only when:
- the change is documented
- the behavior is tested or clearly marked as untested
- safety impact has been considered
- configuration values are explained
- known limitations are recorded
- the change does not break the MVP feeding cycle
- the repository remains understandable to a new contributor
- Codex-generated work has been reviewed before merge
C.A.T.E.R. should use DevOps practices from the beginning.
The repository should maintain:
- clear structure
- meaningful commits
- issue tracking
- pull request reviews
- release tags
- changelog updates
- setup instructions
- firmware versioning
- hardware versioning
- documentation versioning
- test checklists
- release checklists
Future automation may include:
- Markdown linting
- Arduino compile checks
- PlatformIO firmware build checks
- firmware formatting checks
- documentation link checks
- release checklist validation
- folder structure validation
- template file validation
- safety checklist validation
- Python tool checks
- mobile app checks later
Each release should include:
- firmware version
- supported board
- supported hardware version
- required parts
- setup steps
- calibration notes
- safety notes
- known issues
- app compatibility notes if applicable
- upgrade notes
cater/
README.md
LICENSE
CHANGELOG.md
CONTRIBUTING.md
CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
.github/
ISSUE_TEMPLATE/
firmware-task.md
hardware-task.md
docs-task.md
safety-task.md
mobile-app-task.md
workflows/
firmware-ci.yml
docs-ci.yml
python-tools-ci.yml
docs/
build-guide.md
wiring-guide.md
calibration-guide.md
safety-guide.md
troubleshooting.md
agile-plan.md
devops-plan.md
architecture.md
data-model.md
mobile-app-plan.md
monetization-plan.md
nft-access-plan.md
roadmap.md
firmware/
cater_daisy/
cater_daisy.ino
config.h
feeder_controller.h
feeder_controller.cpp
servo_dispenser.h
servo_dispenser.cpp
button_input.h
button_input.cpp
ration_scheduler.h
ration_scheduler.cpp
diagnostics.h
diagnostics.cpp
hardware/
parts-list.md
wiring-diagram/
cardboard-templates/
photos/
prototype-notes.md
tools/
python/
calibration-analyzer/
ration-estimator/
test-report-generator/
release-packager/
app/
mobile/
README.md
media/
video-script.md
thumbnails/
build-shots/
tests/
hardware-test-checklist.md
feeding-cycle-test.md
calibration-test.md
safety-test.md
power-loss-test.md
jam-risk-test.md
releases/
release-checklist.md
release-notes-template.md
This structure may change as the project grows.
The MVP hardware may use:
- Arduino Uno or compatible board
- metal gear servo motor
- push button
- jumper wires
- breadboard or simple connector board
- optional LED
- optional buzzer
- external 5V power source
- cardboard feeder body
- cardboard hopper
- cardboard food chute
- cardboard gate or rotating dispenser
- dry cat food for testing
The exact parts list will be finalized after prototype testing.
The firmware should be built around predictable feeding behavior.
Core firmware responsibilities:
- initialize hardware safely
- keep dispenser closed on startup
- read manual feed input
- manage scheduled feeding
- control servo movement
- prevent rapid repeated feed cycles
- expose calibration values
- print diagnostics
- support future sensor hooks
- emit future feeding event records
The firmware should be organized so that future developers can extend the system without rewriting the whole project.
Calibration is the heart of C.A.T.E.R.
The project should provide a process for measuring how much food is dispensed under specific settings.
Calibration may include:
- food type
- food piece size
- servo open angle
- servo close angle
- opening duration
- number of test runs
- average dispensed amount
- ration estimate
- jam observation
- adjustment notes
A future version may include a Python calibration analyzer, mobile calibration flow, or sensor-assisted calibration.
The future app and logging system should be based on structured feeding events.
A feeding event should eventually describe:
- event ID
- pet ID
- device ID
- timestamp
- scheduled or manual feed
- estimated grams
- estimated calories
- food profile
- calibration profile
- firmware version
- hardware version
- success status
- warning status
- notes
This prepares the feeder for future analytics without forcing the Arduino MVP to become too complex too early.
The C.A.T.E.R. mobile app should start as a local-first pet feeding tracker before it becomes a connected device controller.
The first app version may include:
- pet profile
- food profile
- manual feeding log entry
- daily feeding total
- weekly feeding total
- monthly feeding total
- yearly feeding total
- estimated calories
- basic charts
- local SQLite database
- exportable records
Later versions may include:
- device pairing
- schedule editing
- feeder status
- firmware version display
- feeding event sync
- low-food alerts
- jam alerts
- device diagnostics
- cloud backup
- premium features
This prevents the mobile app from blocking the hardware MVP.
C.A.T.E.R. must be developed safety-first.
This project involves pets, food, electronics, and moving parts. Safety is not optional.
Important safety rules:
- The feeder must be tested repeatedly before normal use.
- The feeder should not be trusted as the only food source until proven reliable.
- The mechanism should fail closed where possible.
- Firmware must prevent endless dispensing.
- Button bounce must not trigger repeated feeding.
- Startup resets must not dump food.
- Power loss behavior must be tested.
- Cardboard must be stable enough to resist tipping or collapse.
- Wires must be protected from pets.
- Electronics must stay away from food and moisture.
- Food contact areas must be clean and safe.
- The feeder must include manual access to food.
- Known limitations must be documented honestly.
C.A.T.E.R. uses the word Estimated because the MVP cannot honestly promise exact calories.
Dry food varies by:
- shape
- size
- density
- oiliness
- friction
- flow behavior
- hopper pressure
- gate opening size
- servo movement
- cardboard alignment
For that reason, the MVP should focus on estimated rations using calibration.
Exact calorie control may require future support for:
- load cells
- weight sensors
- food database profiles
- serving weight feedback
- better mechanical dispensing
- closed-loop calibration
Until then, C.A.T.E.R. should describe output as estimated servings or estimated rations.
- Manual feeding button
- Timed feeding interval
- Servo-controlled food gate
- Portion timing configuration
- Startup safety reset
- Feed cooldown
- Button debounce
- Serial diagnostics
- Basic cardboard body
- Basic build documentation
- Improved feeder template
- Better calibration workflow
- Feeding test checklist
- Portion consistency testing
- Jam reduction guide
- Power-loss behavior testing
- Improved troubleshooting docs
- Python calibration analyzer planning
- Real-time clock support
- Multiple feeding schedules
- EEPROM settings storage
- LCD or OLED screen
- Status LED
- Buzzer alerts
- Low-food detection
- Bowl detection
- Jam detection
- structured feeding event format
- Mobile app MVP
- Pet profiles
- Food profiles
- Manual feeding logs
- Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly reports
- SQLite local database
- Charts and insights
- ESP32 version
- Wi-Fi dashboard
- Feeding logs from device
- Local web interface
- Mobile-friendly control page
- OTA firmware path
- Cloud-ready architecture
- Daisy PFP identity
- Token-gated premium builder portal
- Premium firmware releases
- Premium cardboard templates
- Advanced calibration files
- Early hardware kit access
- Verified builder badges
- Community build gallery
C.A.T.E.R. will not use feed-to-earn mechanics.
The project will not promise people income for feeding their pets.
The monetization model should be based on real project value:
- premium firmware
- advanced templates
- improved build guides
- private build videos
- verified builder access
- Daisy PFP builder identity
- premium app features later
- early access to upgrades
- future hardware kits
- physical product expansion
The project should earn money because it is useful, well-built, documented, and culturally interesting.
Free public resources may include:
- project README
- basic firmware
- basic build guide
- basic wiring guide
- basic cardboard template
- safety guide
- demo video
Purpose:
- build trust
- attract contributors
- prove usefulness
- grow GitHub visibility
- help beginners build the basic version
Paid non-Web3 resources may include:
- premium cardboard templates
- improved enclosure versions
- calibration worksheets
- advanced build guide
- full video course
- printable labels
- laser-cut files
- 3D-printable upgrade parts
Purpose:
- make money from users who want premium build assets without using Web3
Premium app features may include:
- advanced analytics
- multi-pet tracking
- long-term reports
- exportable feeding records
- reminder customization
- device diagnostics
- cloud backup
- multiple device sync
Purpose:
- create a normal software revenue path beyond hardware and Web3
NFT-gated resources may include:
- Daisy PFP
- C.A.T.E.R. Founder Pass
- C.A.T.E.R. Builder Pass
- C.A.T.E.R. Pro firmware
- early access releases
- private community access
- member-only templates
- verified builder badge
- voting on future features
Purpose:
- create identity
- create scarcity
- reward early supporters
- unlock premium access
- build community around the project
Future physical products may include:
- pre-cut cardboard kit
- electronics kit
- servo and wiring pack
- no-solder kit
- premium acrylic version
- premium wood version
- 3D-printed dispenser module
- full boxed C.A.T.E.R. kit
Purpose:
- turn the project into a real maker product line
The NFT should be an access and identity layer, not a fake investment promise.
The NFT should not be marketed as:
- feed to earn
- pet mining
- guaranteed profit
- passive income
- token farming
The NFT should be marketed as:
- builder access
- digital ownership
- premium project pass
- Daisy identity
- supporter badge
- verified maker access
Possible NFT names:
- Daisy Builder Pass
- C.A.T.E.R. Builder Pass
- C.A.T.E.R. Founder Pass
- Daisy Access Pass
- Daisy PFP
- The Daisy Collar
- C.A.T.E.R. Lab Pass
Potential blockchain direction:
- EVM-compatible chain
- low transaction fees
- strong wallet support
- NFT marketplace support
- token-gated access support
- ERC-721 for unique PFPs
- ERC-1155 for access tiers or editions
The final platform decision will be made after comparing cost, tooling, wallet support, user experience, marketplace support, and long-term reliability.
The recommended access model is:
- public MVP for credibility
- paid premium downloads for normal users
- premium mobile app features later
- NFT-gated premium access for Web3 users
- private release channel for advanced firmware
- off-chain storage for code and files
- blockchain ownership only for access verification
The source code should not be placed directly on-chain.
A future token-gated portal may verify NFT ownership before allowing downloads.
Licensing must be decided before the first major public release.
Important options:
- fully open-source
- open-core
- source-available
- dual-license
- private premium license
- hardware documentation license
- commercial kit license
The project should avoid releasing premium code under a license that prevents future monetization.
The public MVP and premium versions should have clear boundaries.
C.A.T.E.R. should grow through usefulness, identity, and builder pride.
Community ideas:
- verified builder badges
- community build wall
- cat photo gallery
- monthly best build showcase
- funniest feeder reaction contest
- Daisy Certified Cat certificate
- build serial numbers
- QR code stickers
- maker spotlight posts
- upgrade voting
- contributor credits
The goal is to make people proud to say:
“I built my cat a C.A.T.E.R.”
- Create GitHub repository.
- Add README.
- Add branch strategy.
- Add GitHub Projects workflow.
- Add labels and milestones.
- Add project structure.
- Add license decision placeholder.
- Add contribution guide.
- Add safety guide placeholder.
- Add roadmap.
- Add parts planning.
- Build first cardboard body.
- Test hopper shape.
- Test food chute.
- Test servo gate.
- Test food flow.
- Identify jam points.
- Improve cardboard design.
- Document prototype findings.
- Create first Arduino firmware.
- Add servo control.
- Add manual feed button.
- Add timed feeding.
- Add cooldown.
- Add startup safe state.
- Add serial diagnostics.
- Add configuration file.
- Add first calibration constants.
- Write parts list.
- Write wiring guide.
- Write assembly guide.
- Write calibration guide.
- Write troubleshooting guide.
- Prepare build video script.
- Add photos and diagrams.
- Test repeated feed cycles.
- Test multiple food sizes.
- Test power loss behavior.
- Test button bounce.
- Test servo reliability.
- Test cardboard stability.
- Test jam risk.
- Record limitations.
- Package firmware.
- Package templates.
- Create release notes.
- Tag firmware version.
- Publish build video.
- Publish setup instructions.
- Collect user feedback.
- Define feeding event schema.
- Define pet profile schema.
- Define food profile schema.
- Define calibration profile schema.
- Define device profile schema.
- Plan SQLite structure.
- Plan mobile app storage model.
- Create Flutter app foundation.
- Add pet profile.
- Add food profile.
- Add manual feeding log.
- Add daily report.
- Add weekly report.
- Add monthly report.
- Add yearly report.
- Add local SQLite database.
- Add basic charts.
- Add exportable feeding records.
- Add RTC scheduling.
- Add display support.
- Add EEPROM settings.
- Add low-food detection.
- Add jam detection.
- Add better calibration workflow.
- Add optional ESP32 path.
- Add device-to-app sync planning.
- Decide public versus premium boundaries.
- Create premium templates.
- Create advanced firmware path.
- Create premium app feature plan.
- Create Daisy PFP concept.
- Choose NFT platform.
- Build token-gated access plan.
- Prepare legal and licensing structure.
- Validate final cardboard design.
- Create pre-cut kit option.
- Create electronics bundle.
- Create no-solder kit version.
- Explore premium material version.
- Prepare packaging concept.
Before the first release, these questions must be answered:
- Which Arduino board will be the default?
- Which servo motor has enough torque?
- What dispenser design is safest for cardboard?
- What food types will the MVP support?
- How many grams should one ration estimate target?
- How will portion calibration be measured?
- How will button bounce be handled?
- How will accidental repeated feeding be prevented?
- How will startup behavior stay safe?
- How will power loss behavior be tested?
- How will food jams be reduced?
- How will electronics be isolated from food?
- How will the cardboard template be shared?
- What feeding event data should be logged later?
- What app metrics matter most to pet owners?
- Which data should stay local?
- Which data should sync to cloud later?
- Which parts will be public?
- Which parts will be premium?
- Which license protects the project best?
- Which NFT platform fits the access model?
- How will non-Web3 users buy premium assets?
C.A.T.E.R. is currently in the concept and repository foundation stage.
The current focus is:
- defining the project clearly
- creating the GitHub repository
- documenting the engineering direction
- planning the MVP hardware
- planning the reusable firmware architecture
- defining the branch workflow
- defining the project board workflow
- deciding the public and premium project boundaries
- preparing for future mobile and data layers without overbuilding the first version
No final hardware design has been validated yet.
No production firmware should be trusted until the prototype has been tested repeatedly.
C.A.T.E.R. should be:
- simple enough to build
- serious enough to trust
- documented enough to repeat
- modular enough to extend
- safe enough to improve responsibly
- branded enough to grow
- disciplined enough to become a real product
- staged enough to avoid overbuilding
- data-ready enough to support a future app
- professional enough for Codex and human collaboration
C.A.T.E.R. is a reusable Arduino-powered smart feeder system for safe, calibrated, and timed estimated pet rations.
C.A.T.E.R.
Calibrated Automation for Timed Estimated Rations
Built with Arduino.
Supported by Python tools.
Prototyped with cardboard.
Powered by calibration.
Managed with GitHub Projects.
Guided by Agile and DevOps discipline.
Extended through mobile data tracking.
Branded through DAISY.
Designed for cats, makers, and future smart pet care.