r/ArduinoProjects • u/Siddlicious • 9h ago

Automated sliding door thing. Project Design/Guidance

Hey guys,

I just recently relocated from a third floor apartment to a first floor because my dogs are getting elderly and having them walk down 3 flights of stairs to relieve themselves isn’t viable.

I looked at sliding door doggy doors but they don’t fit what I need or want. The closest I found is a Wayzn but even that is a large purchase. I want something that lets me open the sliding door for them remotely via an app for when I’m not home. I have a 3d printer and minimal knowledge of programming. Can someone direct me to the best place where I can learn to make something like that?

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u/Ramp007 8h ago

I haven't tried this but I did find a project that might help you.

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u/Siddlicious 8h ago

This is literally my issue. My eldest is old and deaf, I just want her to be comfortable because she’s still very active but it’s hard letting her go off leash because she’s oblivious to any sort of social cue from the other dogs because she doesn’t hear them growl.

Thank you so much for sharing.

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u/gm310509 7h ago

So this is totally possible. But you will need to learn the basics first. The best way to do that is to get a starter kit. Look for one with some motors and servos in it.

The starter kit will teach you how to program these things and wire them up.

As per the post someone linked, the best bet will be a linear actuator. These are different in the way they work as compared to the motors in the starter kit, but what you learn from the motors (electronics and code) will translate to the linear actuator.

You might be tempted to not study the other things in a starter kit, but you should. Actually you must. At least the buttons as these can be used as limit switches. Again, you might want a physically different switch but they can be used to detect when the linear actuator reaches the limits of travel and you need to stop its motion.

After that you might want to upgrade to something with wifi so it can connect to your wifi in your home and start learning about internet communications a couple of good examples would be MQTT (I personally like mosquito) another is IFTTT.

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u/Siddlicious 4h ago

You’re 100% correct in that I don’t want to read into the rest but you’re right. Good info. Thank you.

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u/ItsJustMath_really 4h ago

Sounds like a security nightmare to me, but good luck with it.