Published August 15, 2025 © MIT

Cat_Mat

An IoT enabled cat entertainment and connection device for pets and their humans to stay in touch while they're away!

BeginnerWork in progress83

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Particle Photon 2

M5Stack Time-of-Flight (ToF) VL53L0X Laser Ranging Unit (MCP4725/)

I used the Adafruit version of this sensor.

Digilent Stepper Motor

this isn't the exact model but very close. Any small stepper will work.

LED Strip, NeoPixel Digital RGB

Acrylic sheet plastic

Software apps and online services

Microsoft VS Code

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Epilog FusionPro 36x48” Bed

bambu labs x1 carbon

Soldering iron (generic)

Hot glue gun (generic)

Story

My cat Mina, has to stay at home all day, while I have to go to work. Neither of us cares much for this situation.

I wish she could play all day... and so does she. For her, and for my final project of the IoT Deep Dive course, I have created Cat Mat. Cat Mat is an IoT enabled, interactive, pet connection solution for Mina and I to stay in touch throughout the day.