Final Project: Smart Reptile Habitat System

Project Overview

Project Sketch

I want to make an automatic environment control system for reptile cages.

My pet reptiles (geckos and snakes) need very specific temperature and humidity. But it's difficult to keep the perfect environment all the time by hand.

So I will make a smart system that can monitor and control the habitat automatically!

What I Will Make

Main Components

Project System Diagram

Control Box (Lid) - I will make a special lid for the reptile cage - This lid is also a box that contains all electronic parts - Inside: control board, sensor terminals, and control devices

Sensors in the Cage - Temperature sensors (for monitoring) - Humidity sensors (for monitoring) - These sensors check the environment all the time

Control Devices - Lighting (for day/night cycle) - Heater (for temperature control) - Ultrasonic humidifier (for humidity control) - Fan (for air circulation)

How It Works

  1. Sensors measure temperature and humidity in the cage
  2. Control board receives the data from sensors
  3. System gives feedback to make good environment
  4. If too cold → turn on heater
  5. If too dry → turn on humidifier
  6. Repeat this automatically!

Why I Want to Make This

I want my pets to live in comfortable environment without stress.

But we humans cannot fully understand what is the best environment for reptiles. We cannot feel what they feel.

So, my first goal is to provide stable environment continuously. Then I can watch my pets and see if they are happy. This will be the base for making better improvements.

I think this kind of environment control system can also be used for livestock farming and agriculture in the future.

Who Will Use This?

First Stage: Me and my pets - I will build and test the system with my own geckos and snakes - I will learn what works well and what doesn't work

Future Stage: Other people - Other reptile keepers (hobby) - Small farms (agriculture) - Livestock farmers

I believe this can become a cheap and good system for monitoring and controlling environment in many situations!

Technical Elements

Hardware

  • Microcontroller (ESP32 or similar)
  • Temperature & Humidity sensors (DHT11)
  • Relay modules (for high power devices)
  • Heater control
  • Lighting control
  • Humidifier control

Software

  • Sensor data reading
  • Automatic control algorithm
  • Data logging
  • WiFi communication
  • Mobile app or web dashboard (maybe!)

Fabrication

  • 3D printed parts (sensor mounts, control box)
  • Laser cut parts (cage lid structure)
  • PCB design (custom control board)
  • Electronics assembly

Future Possibilities

This technology can expand to:

  • Agriculture: Greenhouse environment control
  • Livestock: Farm animal environment monitoring
  • Aquarium: Fish tank management
  • Food Storage: Temperature control for preservation

The basic idea is same: monitor environment and give automatic feedback to keep it stable and good.

Project Progress

Week 1: Planning & Documentation ✅

  • Created project website
  • Outlined project concept
  • Created initial sketches

Week 2: CAD Design ✅

  • 3D modeled glass terrarium (Fusion 360)
  • Designed upper control box (Fusion 360)
  • Designed lower control box (Fusion 360)
  • Created technical drawings (JW-CAD)
  • Designed gecko mascot (Inkscape)
  • See Week 2 Documentation

Week 3: Computer-Controlled Cutting ✅

  • Made a press-fit construction kit with laser cutter
  • Cut a gecko mascot sticker with vinyl cutter
  • Measured kerf width (0.1 mm) with 4 mm MDF
  • See Week 3 Documentation

Week 4: Embedded Programming ✅

  • Built a button + LED circuit on breadboard with XIAO SAMD21
  • Programmed with Arduino IDE
  • Tested Wio Node + Grove sensor via REST API
  • See Week 4 Documentation

Week 5: 3D Scanning and Printing ✅

  • 3D printed a gearbox (PLA, Bambu Lab P2S)
  • 3D scanned a frog figure with Hitem3D (multi-view AI)
  • Used rembg to remove backgrounds from photos
  • See Week 5 Documentation

Week 6: Electronics Design ✅

  • Simulated LED circuit with Falstad
  • Designed schematic and PCB with KiCad
  • Test Board: XIAO SAMD21 + button + 1kΩ + LED
  • See Week 6 Documentation

Week 7: Computer-Controlled Machining ✅

  • Designed Gecko Shelf with JW-CAD (394 × 359 × 1094 mm)
  • Made toolpaths with KrabzCAM
  • Milled 12 mm plywood with Maslow CNC
  • Assembled the shelf — terrarium fits perfectly on top
  • See Week 7 Documentation

Upcoming Weeks

  • Week 8: Electronics Production (mill and solder the Test Board)
  • And more...

This project idea will grow and change as I learn more in Fab Academy!