PixelPaw - Customizable Smart Pet Visibility Pendant

Story

In an increasingly busy world, ensuring the safety of our beloved pets during evening walks or nighttime adventures is paramount. Traditional reflective collars offer limited visibility, often failing to adequately protect our furry companions in low-light conditions. PixelPaw addresses this critical need by providing a customizable, bright LED solution. This smart pendant not only enhances visibility, making dogs easily seen by drivers and pedestrians, but also offers a personal touch through adjustable light patterns and brightness. By empowering pet owners to actively participate in their pet's safety, PixelPaw transforms nighttime walks from a potential hazard into a secure and enjoyable experience.

BOM

• Arduino Micro
• Some wires
• Battery - Axiss Technology a03700620ps or any battery with dimensions 50x50 mm and thickness 3mm 
• Battery charger - Type-C USB 3.7V 4.2V 1A 5W Lithium Li-ion 18650 Battery Charger Board DC-DC Step Up Boost Module TP4056 DIY Kit Parts
• 2 WS2812B WS2812 2*2 Bit RGB LED Full-color Development Board
• Tactile Push Button Switch
• clear plastic to cover the LEDs and some glue

Wire diagram

After a few 'wait, why isn't it lighting up?' moments and a brief detour into 'is that smoke supposed to be coming from there?', we arrived at this masterpiece. You'll notice the strategic placement of wires, each carefully chosen to avoid a full-scale electronic revolt. The Pro Micro and its buddies are now happily communicating, thanks to a few well-placed jumpers and a power source.

Soldering

After a few singed fingerprints and a brief but intense staring contest with the solder, everything's now happily soldered according to the diagram.

Arduino code

I used the online Arduino IDE: https://app.arduino.cc/

Just connect your board to the computer and code in your browser.

#include <FastLED.h>

#define LED_PIN     4
#define NUM_LEDS    8

CRGB leds[NUM_LEDS];

void setup() {

  FastLED.addLeds<WS2812, LED_PIN, GRB>(leds, NUM_LEDS);
  
}

void loop() {
  FastLED.setBrightness(30 );
  leds[0] = CRGB::Red;
  leds[3] = CRGB::Red;
  leds[4] = CRGB::Red;
  leds[6] = CRGB::Red;
  FastLED.show();
  delay(200);
  leds[0] = CRGB::Black;
  leds[3] = CRGB::Black;
  leds[4] = CRGB::Black;
  leds[5] = CRGB::Black;
  
  leds[1] = CRGB::Blue;
  leds[2] = CRGB::Blue;
  leds[5] = CRGB::Blue;
  leds[7] = CRGB::Blue;
  FastLED.show();
  delay(200);
  leds[1] = CRGB::Black;
  leds[2] = CRGB::Black;
  leds[5] = CRGB::Black;
  leds[7] = CRGB::Black;
  FastLED.show();
  
}

Cram it all together

With the electronics wired and tested, it's time to give PixelPaw its stylish home! The 3D-printed enclosure was designed to house all the components snugly and securely. I am using PETG for this print to ensure that there are no sharp corners that might be dangerous. Think of it as a tiny, high-tech doggy penthouse. Carefully placing the Arduino Pro Micro, LED boards, and any supporting circuitry, it's a bit like playing a real-life game of Tetris, but with less pressure and more blinking lights at the end. The enclosure pieces are screw together creating a durable and weather-resistant casing. It's a satisfying final step, transforming a collection of parts into a polished, ready-to-wear gadget that's as functional as fashionable.

Summary and what can be improved

PixelPaw is an Arduino-powered, customizable smart LED pendant that enhances pet safety and visibility during low-light conditions. This innovative pendant utilizes programmable LEDs, allowing users to create unique light patterns and adjust brightness levels, ensuring optimal visibility and a personalized touch. Housed in a 3D-printed enclosure, PixelPaw offers a blend of functionality, durability, and playful design, providing peace of mind for pet owners and a stylish, safe accessory for their canine companions.

Options for Improving the Casing

The current 3D-printed enclosure provides a solid foundation, but there are several avenues for improvement:

• Durability Enhancement: Exploring more robust materials or design revisions to increase impact resistance and longevity. 
• Waterproofing: Implementing a more effective sealing solution to improve water resistance. 
• Attachment Mechanism: Refining the attachment method to the dog's collar for increased security and ease of use. 
• Aesthetics and Ergonomics: Further refining the enclosure's shape and finish for a more polished and comfortable design. 

Future Development Options

To further enhance PixelPaw's capabilities, consider the following:

• Connectivity Upgrade: Replace the current Arduino with a microcontroller featuring Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. This would enable remote control of the pendant's light patterns and settings via a smartphone app, opening up possibilities for features like:
  • Remote activation/deactivation
  • Customizable schedules
  • Geofencing alerts
  • Integration with other smart pet devices
• Expanded Functionality: Exploring additional features to enhance pet safety and well-being, such as:
  • Integrated GPS tracking for location monitoring
  • Ambient light sensing for automatic brightness adjustment
  • Activity tracking to monitor the dog's movement levels

These enhancements would transform PixelPaw from a simple visibility tool into a more comprehensive and connected pet safety solution.

Please feel free to remix it and share your changes :)