With the pet technological domain being underdeveloped, this report studies the potential
interaction and development of an application that would simplify, and save time, for the pet owner;
through a software which manages pet “things”. The application controls three different “things”,
through a single device medium, the user would be able to adjust certain factors of each
component, which would save them valuable time and effort. The technologies studied here, focus a
cat as the primary pet, and consider three technologies: a feeder, a waste disposal cat litter and a cat
flap.
Each component would have a wireless communication technology, which will serve to
communicate between itself and the application. The application will be programmed in a
programming language called Flutter, which will serve to combine the three communicating devices,
using context widgets, displaying important information about each, to the user. The programs code
will be structured using Flutter’s simplistic block like coding language, allowing for the
synchronisation and linkage between the “things”. To ensure smooth data transfer between the
devices, the devices will be connected to the same home Wi-Fi, as each device communicating
separately might cause unwanted delays in data transfer.
The user will then be able to adjust, specific factors and variables about each “thing”,
included but not limited to scheduling feeding, locking and unlocking the flap and notifications to
when the cat has produced waste. Since the devices will be connected through the home Wi-Fi
system, the user will be able to remotely use the application, from any distance using their mobile
data, to control the devices. This is to save the owner valuable time, and to let the pet have its needs
met immediately rather than when the owner gets home.
The application itself will be user friendly, incorporating visual aids for a smooth user
experience. The visual structure will be simple, and easy to use, meaning families with family pets
can allow anyone of any age to safely fulfil the animals’ requirements. This is to ensure the animals
greater lifestyle, and developing the pet-human domain of technological innovation.