Wiznet makers

Monitoring the physical activity of pets, especially nocturnal animals like hedgehogs and hamsters, is crucial for ensuring their health and well-being. This study explores an IoT-based solution for tracking and analyzing pet activity using a custom-designed system with popular electronic components.

Key components and findings include:

Arduino Mega 2560 Development Board: Used for its simplicity and ample resources, enabling easy integration and prototyping of the monitoring system.

WIZnet W5500 Ethernet Module: Chosen for reliable and efficient data transmission to a cloud-based server, supporting real-time monitoring and analysis.

Reed Switch Sensor: Utilized to detect rotations of an exercise wheel, allowing accurate measurement of the animal's physical activity in terms of distance traveled and speed.

ThingSpeak Cloud Platform: Acts as the server for storing and analyzing data, offering MATLAB analytics for comprehensive insights into pet behavior and health metrics.

MATLAB Analytics: Provides visualization tools and algorithms for analyzing the collected data, making it easy to understand patterns in pet activity over time.

The study emphasizes the ease of building and using such systems, highlighting the potential for widespread adoption among pet owners and animal researchers. By tracking physical activity, pet owners can gain valuable insights into their pets' health, potentially identifying issues such as illness or poor physical condition early.

The experimental setup involved monitoring an African pygmy hedgehog, demonstrating the system's effectiveness in capturing and analyzing data accurately. The results showed that the IoT-based system could provide real-time updates and detailed reports on pet activity, aiding in better care and management.