Project Title: Intelligent Hummingbird Feeder

This interim update was documented approximately 3 weeks prior to the project end date. The final outcome and all the project details are documented in the Final Project page.

Project Plan

Completed Task Summary

• The feeder design has been completed and prototyped, with some remaining modifications to be done on the cover.
  
• The Pi board has been set up and verified.
• The Pi camera module been set up and functionality has been learned. Unfortunately, the camera has subsequently failed and a replacement has been ordered.
• The Python software has been developed and tested in a demo setup.
  

Remaining Task Summary

• The biggest challenge remaining is the sensor board design and testing. This design has just started due to other time commitments.
• The Pi camera module has failed and a replacement has been ordered.
• The top cover requires some design modifications and will then need to be reprinted.
• Python code will need to be modified in the final configuration.
• Final camera location needs to be determined.
  

What questions need to be resolved?

• Sensor board design
• Will Capacitive Sensing work in this application?
• Camera selection - will Pi camera work?
• Camera location for best photos.
• Will birds use the feeder in the field?
  

Risks

• The timing for replacement camera arrival is a risk.
• The sensor board design is a risk (if it needs more than one iteration).
  

What has and has not worked (updated at end of project)?

• The feeder design and box and prototyping went well and the final design is very good.
• The Ping Ultrasonic sensor works very well in this application.
  
• The Raspberry Pi board works well and the documentation available is very good.

• Capactive Sensing did not work in a repeatable and robust way. It also consumed a very significant amount of time without a productive outcome.
  
• The Raspberry Pi board is awkward in terms of setup and multiple cables are required (in addition to monitor and keyboard).
• The camera module is challenging and difficult to position for testing purposes. In addition, the ability to control the camera focus is not clear.
• The camera module is apparently very susceptible to static (which may be the cause of my two failures).
• Eventually, I abandoned the Pi camera module and switched to a regular Webcam.
• The Electronics Box design was adequate but could have been better in terms of component placement and retention.
  

Learnings

• How to design and build a circuit board.
• How to use Solidworks (but still have a lot to learn).
• How to use Inkscape for 2D design.
• How to use the Laser Cutter, Shopbot, Modela, Stratasys 3D printer and many other pieces of equipment.
• How to do basic programming in C and Python.
• How to use the Raspberry Pi and Camera.
• How to deal with Windows frustration (many hours wasted trying to download applications).
• The basics of Arduino.
• Soldering irons hurt when they touch your skin.
• Excellent sources of information and how to use them.

Time Management