Table of Contents
Introduction Food Dispenser System + Ultrasonic Sensor

The Red Panda Feeding System ------------------- 1 • Instructions ------------------------------- 25

• Materials ---------------------------------- 27
The System
• Making Process ----------------------------- 28
Food Launcher System
• Final Product ------------------------------ 35
• Instructions -------------------------------- 3
• The Code ----------------------------------- 36
• Materials ----------------------------------- 5
Beyond the prototype
• Making Process ------------------------------ 7
Sustainability
• Final Product ------------------------------- 16
• Food Launcher System + Rock Sensors -------- 37

Interactive Rocks Sensors

• Food Dispenser System + Ultrasonic Sensor -- 38
• Materials ----------------------------------- 17

• Making Process ------------------------------ 19

• Final Product ------------------------------- 22

• The Code ------------------------------------ 23

Introduction:

The Red Panda Feeding System

The interactive food feeder is an innovative automated feeding

device specially created in collaboration with the Singapore Zoo to
send our endangered furry friends— the red pandas into panda-
monium. To ensure these lovable furry creates are enriched effectively Food Launcher + Interactive Rock Sensors System
in captivity, we came up with 2 interactive food feeder systems—
each system made up of 2 sequential parts. For the first system, it
consists of a food launcher and interactive rock sensors. The second
system consists of a food dispenser and ultrasonic sensors. These 2
systems also help zookeepers to automate the process of feeding.

Food Dispensor + Ultrasonic Sensor System

1 Red Panda Enrichment Introduction 2

Food Launcher System:
Instructions for 2. Manual Mode 4. Debug mode Things to Note
Different Modes Press the button on the control pad labelled (For troubleshooting) • After connecting the 12V adaptor to the
“Manual”. One of the rocks should light up and Press the button on the control pad labelled Arduino board, check if the device or
beep. After the rocks have been pressed 3 times, “Debug”. To test out the functionality of each Stepper motor is overheated after around
1. Automatic Mode the catapult will start reeling automatically. component, press the buttons one by one. 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off power if either
Press the button on the control pad labelled
Keeper will load food onto the catapult spool. Components that can be tested are labelled one is hot to the touch.
“Auto”. One of the rocks should light up and
After loading, keeper will press the button “Rock A”, “Rock B”, “Rock C”, “Launch” and “Reel”.
beep. After the rocks have been pressed
labelled “Launch” to fling the food into enclosure. This mode is to allow keepers to troubleshoot • If the catapult gets stuck during reeling, turn
3 times, the catapult will start reeling
The whole cycle will start again. the system should any problems arise. The rocks off power and investigate. If the fishing line
automatically. Keeper will load food onto the
A, B and C should beep and light up, while both is tangled at the Stepper motor, manually
catapult spool immediately and catapult will
launch automatically. The whole cycle will start
3. Manual Without Rocks Mode “Launch” and “Reel” components should turn. unreel the motor to release the fishing line

Press the button on the control pad labelled and proceed to turn on the power again.
again.
“ManualWR”. The catapult will start reeling
automatically. Keeper will load food onto the • DO NOT drop the rocks and always handle
**Note: The Catapult + Rocks system will start
catapult spool. After loading, keeper will press the rocks with care because it is extremely
in Automatic mode by default when powered on
the button labelled “Launch” to fling the food into fragile.
at the start.
enclosure. The whole cycle will start again.
• If catapult does not function accordingly to
the modes, turn off power and try switching
between different modes one by one.
Otherwise, re-upload Arduino code provided
to the Arduino board.

3 Red Panda Enrichment Food Launcher System 4

Materials

Catapult --------------------- Catapult Box -------------

1. Brass rod (6.4mm) 1. Wooden box (14.5cm x 38.8cm x 18.7cm)

2. Rectangular brass dowel (1cm by 0.5cm) 2. Wooden platform

3. Wooden plank
3. Brass piece

4. Cable Ties
4. Rectangle Wooden Dowels
Materials for Catapult
5. Spray Paint
5. Arduino Mega
6. Hinge + screws
6. Screws (M3 and M2.5)

7. Buttons Stepper Motor ------------

8. Wires 1. Stepper motor (ROB-09238, Mercury Motor
SM-42BYG011-25)
9. Torsion Spring (from giant wooden peg)
2. Motor driver (DRV8833 Dual Motor Driver
10. Header pins Carrier)
Materials for Catapult Box
11. Servo (Towerpro, MG90S digital servo) 3. Mounting Hub

12. Perf boards 4. 3D printed motor holder

13. 3D printed spool 5. 3D printed reeler

14. 12V Adaptor 6. Fishing line (0.84mm)

Materials for Stepper Motor

5 Red Panda Enrichment Food Launcher System 6

Making Process

Catapult ---------------------

Step #7:
Cut a piece of thicker brass rod to 1.5cm. Cut a
piece of rectangular brass tube to approximately
Step #1: Step #5: 1.5cm. Solder the rectangular tube to the thicker
Measure 52cm of the fishing line. Measure 12cm brass rod.
Cut 2 wooden dowels, one of 30cm and the
Step #3: and tie at that mark, one end of the fishing line
other of 12cm then form a T shape and apply
Cut the brass rod to 30cm. Cut out a long brass to the hole in the small brass piece on the rod.
wood glue to stick the dowels together. This will
piece of 0.6cm by 8.5cm in size. Solder one side of Tie the other end to the 3D printed reeler.
form the base of the catapult.
the brass piece to around the halfway mark of the
brass rod. !! Caution: Ensure fishing line is secured tightly
to the hole.

Step #4:
Step #2: Step #8:
Cut another small brass piece of 1cm by 0.7cm
Cut a brass piece 2.5cm by 2.5cm. Drill a hole at Cut another small brass piece of 1cm by 0.7cm
in size. Drill a hole of 0.3cm diameter in the small
the top right-hand corner of the brass piece and 2 in size. Drill a hole of 0.3cm diameter in the small
brass piece. Solder the small brass piece on brass
holes on the bottom. Use two M2 screws and screw
rod, approximately 10cm from the rod head.
Step #6: brass piece. Solder the small brass piece on brass
the brass piece together with a wire for connection Insert 3D printed spool to the head of the brass rod. rod, approximately 10cm from the rod head.
(Label: Brass Wire) to the wooden base. [Refer to
step 20 for arduino connection guide]

7 Red Panda Enrichment Food Launcher System 8


Step #11:
Place the torsion spring through the soldered
Step #9: brass rod. Drill a small hole in the wooden base
Cut a brass rod of 6.5cm length. Solder the to insert one end of the torsion spring.
brass rod to the hole in the brass piece on the
wooden base.
Step #10:
Take a giant wooden peg and remove the torsion
spring.
Step #12:
Place the catapult structure through the brass
rod, ensure that the rectangular tube is resting
on the other end of the torsion spring for
rebounding effect.
9 Red Panda Enrichment
Step #13:
Take the thicker brass rod and cut approximately
1cm. Solder the 1cm thicker brass rod to the
Step #15:
end of the thin brass rod. The thicker brass rod Secure the Arduino Mega to the wooden dowel
will act as a stopper to prevent the catapult and with 2 M2.5 screws..
torsion spring from coming out.
Step #16:
Glue the carving block to the base of the whole
Step #14: catapult structure to give height with wood glue.
Cut out a 7cm brass piece for the latch and screw
in with 2 M2.5 screws, together with a wire (Label:
Latch wire) for connection. [Refer to step 20 for
arduino connection guide]
!! Caution: Ensure catapult is able to touch the latch
when reeled down.
Food Launcher System 10
 Catapult Box -----------------

Step #4:
Measure the holes on the ledge of the box and drill
holes to install hinge. Secure hinge with screws.

Step #17: Step #19:

Measure and cut a small wood block to fit the Connect the servo to the arduino, wiring it as such.
servo. Secure the wooden block to the carving
Step #1:
block with wood glue and secure the servo to
Measure and cut the back of the box to create an
the wooden block with 2 M2.5 screws.
opening for the catapult to recline.

Step #5:
Step #20: Secure the cover to the other side of the hinge with
screws and bolts.
Connect the Brass Wire (as in step 2) and the Latch
Wire (as in step 14) to the arduino as such

Step #2:
Step #18: Measure and cut the back of the box to create an
Measure and cut a small wood block to guide the
--------------------- opening for the catapult to recline.
fishing line. Create hole using a drill and sanding
tool for fishing line to go through. Secure the
wooden block with 1 M3 screw to carving block.
Step #6:
Add foam tape to the cover to prevent damage of
!! Caution: This wood block ensures that the fishing
the cover rim when catapult releases.
line will not get tangled up when reeled.
Step #3: ---------------------
Spray cover with black paint.
11 Red Panda Enrichment Food Launcher System 12
Stepper Motor ----------------

Step #3: Step #8:

Solder the input pins of the motor driver (A1,
Thread the other end of the fishing line into the
A2, B1 & B2 “in” pins) to individual pinheads and
Step #6:
Step #1: Screw in the stepper motor to the holder to
hole on the side of the 3D printed reeler and tie
connect all the wires to the arduino as such.
Use a LED bulb to test to determine the pairs of a secure knot.
secure it, using 4 M3 screws.
stepper wires. Connect each pin of the LED to
a wire each. If the bulb lights up when you turn !! Caution: Ensure fishing line is secured tightly
the shaft, the 2 connected wires are a pair. to the hole.

Step #4:
Measure and cut the wooden dowel and drill 2
holes according to the 3D printed motor holder.
Glue it down on the wooden base of the box
using wood glue.

Step #2:
Step #7:
Connect the wires to the output of the motor Step #8:
Next, secure the mounting hub to the shaft of
driver, ensuring that in a pair, one wire is Finally, attach the reeler to the mounting hub
the stepper motor, using a suitable hex key
connected to A1, and the other to A2. For the using 2 M2.5 screws.
screw head.
other pair, one wire is to B1 and the other to B2.
Solder the connections down to a perf board. !! Caution: Ensure screws are secured tightly to
!! Caution: Ensure screws are secured tightly to
Step #5: the hole.
the hole.

Attach the 3D printed motor holder to the wooden

---------------------
dowel using 2 M3 screws on each side of the holder.

13 Red Panda Enrichment Food Launcher System 14

Control Pad ------------------

Step #3:
Solder and connect the wires as such. Final Product:

Step #1:
Solder 4 light bulbs in a row and 4 buttons directly
below them onto the perf board. The first row of
buttons are to switch between the 4 modes.

Step #4:
Cut out holes in a clear box to store the control pad.

Once connected to the 12V adaptor, this is

the finished product you’ll get!

Instructions on the rocks will be provided

Step #2: in the following pages.
Solder 2 more rows of buttons— 2 buttons in the
second row (controlling the servo & motor) and 3
buttons in the third row (controlling each of the 3 rocks)

Step #5: ---------------------

Label the buttons.

---------------------

15 Red Panda Enrichment Food Launcher System 16

Interactive Rock Sensors:
Materials
Rocks ------------------------ Tools
1. Cement powder 1. Solder iron

2. Water 2. Scalpel or penknife (optional)

3. Aluminium Foil 3. Heat gun (optional)

4. Plastic Bowls

5. Wires

6. Acrylic rod (5mm in diameter)

7. LED Bulbs

8. Piezo Buzzer

9. Perf Board

10. Transparent Rubber Tube Materials for Rocks

11. Copper tape

12. Clear plastic boxes

17 Red Panda Enrichment Interactive Rock Sensors 18


Making Process
Step #1:
Cut the acrylic rod to 2 cm in length with a wire cutter.
We used six 2 cm rods for our rocks. You can always
change the length of the rod and the number of
acrylic rod you want depending on the size of your
rock. Just ensure that the rod is not too long and the
position of the light bulb and buzzer will sit nicely
under the rock.
Step #2:
Get a piece of aluminium foil and crease it. The more
you crease it, the more details you will get on your
rock. Put the acrylic rods through the aluminium foil
and ensure there are no holes. If the aluminium tears
and there are holes, mold the aluminium foil to cover
up the hole. This step is crucial to ensure that the
cement that you will be using later will not flow out of
the aluminium foil. Another precautionary method you
can use is plasticine, if you have some on hand. Place
a layer of plasticine at the base of the bowl to ensure
that the cement will not flow out later. Place the
aluminium foil & acrylic rod (from the step before) into
the bowl. Note: We used 6 acrylic rods for 1 rock and in
a circle pattern. However, you may place any number
of acrylic rods and in any orientation you desire.
19 Red Panda Enrichment
Step #3:
Take the cement powder and mix it with water.
Add equal proportion of cement powder to water.
Estimate if you need to add more water or cement
powder. You should achieve a pasty consistency
for the final product of cement mixture.
Step #4:
Fill the bowl with cement. You should fill it up until
half of the length of the acrylic rod. Spread the
cement mixture at the sides of the the aluminum
foil as well. Wait for the cement mixture to set a
little, then spread another layer of cement at the
sides of the aluminum to get a thicker layer so
that the final product will be more solid.
- and wires. However, you can house the perf board
Step #5:
Wait for the mixture to dry completely. For the
size of our rocks, we let it dry overnight (approx
12 hours). The time for it to dry depends on the
size of the rock you are making. Ensure that it is
completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Step #10:
Cut the wires to your required length. The length of
our wires are 4m long.
Step #6:
Once the mixture is completely dry. Remove the
aluminium foil from the bowl and remove the aluminum
from the concrete. You can peel off the aluminium.
However, if some parts do not come off, you can use a Step #11:
scalpel or penknife to help scrape off the aluminum foil. Put all the wires through the rubber tube.
-
Step #7:
Cut the access acrylic that is protruding out from the
top of the rock. Cut it as closely as possible to the rock.
You can use a wire cutter for this (same as step 2).
Step #8:
Use a heat gun to blast hot air on the acrylic rod at
the top of the rock. Smooth out the edges of the
acrylic rod once it becomes soft from the heat.
Step #12:
We drilled holes in a clear box to house the perf board
and wires in any way you prefer. String the tubes with
wires through the hole in the clear box and secure
with hot glue. Connect the other end of wires from the
perf board and the rocks to the arduino.
Step #9:
Line the underside of the rock with aluminium foil !! Caution: Ensure that the hole that is cut is
using adhesive. You can use any adhesive material not too large, around 1cm diameter to fit the
such as double sided tape or glue. tubes just right.
Interactive Rock Sensors 20
Step #13:
Add double-sided foam tape to secure perf board
in the clear box.
Final Product:
Step #16:
Stick the clear box with all connected wires to the
aluminum foil on the rocks using hot glue.

Step #14:
Solder the LED bulb, piezo buzzer, 1 ground (black)
and 1 input (brown) wire (that have been strung
Step #17:
Connect the other ends of the black wires to the
through the clear box) to the perf board. Attach the
Arduino as such.
wires to the Arduino as seen in the diagram.

Once connected, you now have a capacitive

touch “rock” with light and sound!

---------------------

Step #18:
Secure cable ties when stringing the tubes with wires
Step #15: out from the box. This is to release the tension on the

Cut a piece of copper tape and stick to the foil. String the wires connected to the Arduino on the inside when

last black wire through the hole and solder wire to the the tubes are tugged from the outside.

copper tape. Do note that you cannot solder the wire to

the aluminium foil as there is a layer of aluminium oxide ---------------------
on the foil, the solder will not stick to the foil.

21 Red Panda Enrichment Interactive Rock Sensors 22

Arduino Code:

Download the full code from:

bit.ly/LauncherCode

23 Red Panda Enrichment

Food Dispenser System:
Instructions for
Different Modes
1. Automatic Mode
Press the button on the control pad labelled
“A”. The servo will turn once after the ultrasonic
sensor has been activated by movement from
the animal. The system will reset after 15
minutes.
**Note: The food dispenser + sensor system
will start in Automatic mode by default when
powered on at the start.
2. Manual Mode
Press the button on the control pad labelled “M”.
Press and hold the button labelled “S” and the
dispenser would only turn once.
Things to Note
• Ensure that the dividers of the interior
acrylic dispenser lines up with the hole at
the base of the dispenser before turning on
3. Debug mode
the device. If not done, the system would
(For troubleshooting)
continuously at a fixed angle and the food
Press the button on the control pad labelled
will not be dispensed properly.
“D”. Press and hold the button labelled “S” and
the dispenser would spin continuously in 360
• Ensure that all the wires are connected on
degrees. The debug mode will only be utilized to
the Arduino board, servo and ultrasonic
troubleshoot the servo.
sensors.
In order to troubleshoot the ultrasonic sensor
• Close the wooden box of the ultrasonic
without using the serial monitor within Arduino,
sensor tightly. If the wooden piece is not
test the device in debug mode first. If the
shut well such that it occludes the sensor’s
dispenser rotates, test the device in auto mode.
radar, the ultrasonic sensor would not be
If the dispenser does not rotate when you
able to detect the movements of the red
place your hand above it, this means that the
panda.
ultrasonic sensor is not functioning.

• If the dispenser does not function

accordingly to the modes, turn off power
and try switching between different modes
one by one. Otherwise, re-upload Arduino
code provided to the Arduino board.

25 Red Panda Enrichment Food Dispenser System 26

 Making Process

Ultrasonic Sensor ------------

Materials

Ultrasonic Sensor ------------ Wooden Structure -------------

1. Sliding Lid Wooden Box x1 (9.1cm x 6.2cm)
2. Wires x4
3. Ultrasonic Sensor x1 (HC-SR04)
1. Wooden Planks x2 (40cm x 15cm)
2. Wooden Planks x2 (15cm x 15cm)
3. Screws and Bolts
Step #3:
Step #1: In the interior of the box, mark the position of the
Trace the ultrasonic sensor and draw a rectangle ultrasonic sensor such that the pins are directly
where the wires will be fed through with a pencil under the rectangular hole. Place a strip of velcro into

4. L-Brackets
5. Velcro Strips for Servo* x2 (3.6cm x 1.8cm)
Food Dispenser ---------------
6. Velcro Strips for Dispenser* x2 (any length)
1. 1mm Thick A3 White Acrylic Sheet x1
*purchase velcro strips with adhesive at the
back
2. Continuous Rotation Servo (SM-S4303R) x1
3. Super Glue
Control Pad --------------
4. Acrylic Rod
1. Perf board x1
5. PVC Tube x1 2. Reel-Wire-Wrapping Wires x8
to mark out sections of the wooden box that will
be removed. Ensure that the circular holes on the
front are not be smaller than those on the ultrasonic
sensor, and that the size of the rectangular hole at the
top is sufficient to slot four wires through. Wires can
be cut to your desired length. Our wires are 2m long.
the wooden box, and at the back of the ultrasonic
sensor. This helps to ensure that the ultrasonic sensor
remains at a fixed position within the wooden box.
-
Step #4:
String four insulated wires through the rectangular
hole and solder them to each pin on the ultrasonic
sensor (refer to wire set-up). Do ensure that the
soldered metal droplets on each pin are not in contact
with one another. Place ultrasonic sensor in the box
and secure it to the velcro.

6. Shelf Support Metal Stud and Socket ¼” x1 3. Cardboard

7. Wires x3 4. Duct Tape

5. Velcro strip
8. Arduino Uno x1

6. Arduino Stacker Header x1 (10-Pin)

7. Arduino Push Buttons x4 Step #2:

Drill the holes with an electric drill and smooth the
8. LED Bulbs x3 Step #5:
edges with a needle file set. We used the tool with a
rounded edge for the circular holes while the tool with String the four insulated wires through a transparent

a flat edge was used on the rectangular hole. tube to protect the wires

---------------------

27 Red Panda Enrichment Food Dispenser System 28

Food Dispenser ---------------
Step #3:
We used Rhino to make a 3D model of our dispenser.
After finalizing our design, we unrolled the design
out to a laser cutting file and loaded the file to the
machine. For this dispenser, we used an A3 white
acrylic board with a thickness of 1mm.
Step #1:
Step #8:
Attach the gear holder the the base plate and secure
Step #5: it with super glue. The orientation of the gear holder
We are now going to build the core of the dispenser.
does not matter in this case because it will only be
For this, we will need 2 acrylic rods of different lengths.
used to hold the base of the acrylic rod in place.
We want to make the acrylic rod detachable from the
servo in order to allow users to wash the interior of the
dispenser easily without getting water into the servo.

For the exterior of the dispenser, saw a PVC tube of a

length with approximately 15 cm. The diameter of the
PVC tube will determine the diameter of the acrylic top/
bottom wheels and dispenser base. For our design, we
are using a PVC tube with a diameter of 11cm.
Step #2:
Using Adobe Illustrator, sketch out parts of the
dispenser that will be cut with the laser cutting
machine. You will minimally require:
Step #4:
To attach the pieces together, super glue was used.
Alternatively, you can adjust the measurements of the
acrylic pieces in step 2 such that there is a perfect fit.
How to attach:
• For the side panels, apply super glue along the
entire width (including the rectangular ledges)
The first rod should be 12.6cm long. Drill a hole in one
end of the rod. Insert the shelf support metal socket
into the hole and secure it with super glue.
Step #9:
Attach the acrylic base of the dispenser to the PVC
tube with super glue. The acrylic piece was placed at
an angle where the hole was lower in the PVC tube.
This would allow the food to drop out easily.
Step #6:
Cut another rod of 2.5cm in length. Drill holes on both
ends, ensure that the holes do not join in the middle.
Attach the shelf support metal stud and secure it with
super glue on one end. Next, attach the other end of the
hole to the gear of the servo with the use of super glue.

• 6 side panels
• 1 dispenser base (diameter: 11cm)
• 2 top/bottom wheels (diameter: 10.5cm*)
2 holders for the acrylic rod, (diameter: 1.9cm) to make
the skeleton of 1 dispenser. If you’re using a large
acrylic sheet, we would recommend you to cut more
pieces to replace any broken parts.
!! Caution: The diameter of the wheels should always
be smaller than the diameter of the PVC tube. This
allows the wheels to spin freely within the tube.
29 Red Panda Enrichment
on one side of the panel and place it into the
holes of a wheel. Hold it there for about 3 secs to
ensure that the pieces are tightly stuck together.
• After that, apply super glue onto a gap of a mini
gear and attach it at the midpoint of the side panel.
• Repeat these steps for the remaining 5 panels.
• Apply super glue along the entire width on the
other side of the panel and place it into the
holes of the other wheel.
You should get a cylindrical dispenser with 6
compartments. This will be the interior of the dispenser.
Step #7:
Screw both rods (made in steps 5 & 6) together. This
will be core of the dispenser that will allow it to turn.
Step #10:
Now that you have the various components ready
(PVC tube, acrylic dispenser, acrylic rod with servo),
you can assemble them together.
Put the acrylic rod through the centre of the acrylic
dispenser, ensure it goes through to the other end.
Next, fit it in the PVC tube. Ensure that the acrylic
rod touches the base of the dispenser (this base
refers to the one shown in step 8).
---------------------
Food Dispenser System 30
Wire Set-up ------------------
Ultrasonic Sensor:
• Trig -> Pin 9 (yellow)
• Gnd -> Gnd (blue)
• Echo -> Pin 10 (orange)
• VCC -> 5V (green)
Servo:
• Gnd -> Gnd (black)
• Signal -> 5V (red)
• 5V -> Pin 8 (grey)
---------------------
31 Red Panda Enrichment
Wooden Structure -------------
Step #1:
Assemble the wooden structure together with the use
of L-brackets and screws.
Step #2:
Stick the shorter velcro strip (black) onto the top of the
servo, and at the roof of the wooden structure.
Step #3:
Stick 2 velcro strips (white) onto the sides of the structure
as shown in the first picture, and stick the remaining
2 velcro strips onto the PVC tube. This will allow us to
mount the dispenser securely onto the structure.
---------------------
Step #8:
Attach the gear holder the the base plate and secure
Step #5: it with super glue. The orientation of the gear holder
We are now going to build the core of the dispenser.
does not matter in this case because it will only be
For this, we will need 2 acrylic rods of different lengths.
used to hold the base of the acrylic rod in place.
We want to make the acrylic rod detachable from the
servo in order to allow users to wash the interior of the
dispenser easily without getting water into the servo.
The first rod should be 12.6cm long. Drill a hole in one
end of the rod. Insert the shelf support metal socket
into the hole and secure it with super glue.
Step #9:
Attach the acrylic base of the dispenser to the PVC
tube with super glue. The acrylic piece was placed at
an angle where the hole was lower in the PVC tube.
This would allow the food to drop out easily.
Step #6:
Cut another rod of 2.5cm in length. Drill holes on both
ends, ensure that the holes do not join in the middle.
Attach the shelf support metal stud and secure it with
super glue on one end. Next, attach the other end of the
hole to the gear of the servo with the use of super glue.
Step #10:
Now that you have the various components ready
(PVC tube, acrylic dispenser, acrylic rod with servo),
you can assemble them together.
Put the acrylic rod through the centre of the acrylic
dispenser, ensure it goes through to the other end.
Next, fit it in the PVC tube. Ensure that the acrylic
Step #7: rod touches the base of the dispenser (this base
refers to the one shown in step 8).
Screw both rods (made in steps 5 & 6) together. This
will be core of the dispenser that will allow it to turn. ---------------------
Food Dispenser System 32
Control Pad ------------------
Step #1:
Solder 3 light bulbs in a row and 3 buttons directly
below them onto the perf board. The first row of
buttons are to switch between the 3 distinct modes,
auto, manual and debug respectively. After that,
solder the arduino header stacker (10-Pin) on the top
right corner of the perf board.
Step #2:
On the next row, solder 1 button on the perf board.
This button will be used to control the servo.
Step #3:
Solder and connect the wires to the arduino as such.
---------------------
33 Red Panda Enrichment
Control Pad Box --------------
Step #1:
Take a piece of cardboard and mark out an
appropriate length and breadth that will fit the control
panel. The dimension for our control panel is 4cm x 6cm.
Step #2:
Measure and mark an additional 0.6mm in width from
the markings made previously. Do this for all sides.
Step #3:
Take the scalpel knife and cut out the markings made,
and then glue the 4 corners down.
Step #4:
Mark out another piece of cardboard that is the size
Step #8:
of the control panel. Measure and mark an additional We used a plastic box to house the arduino and
0.6mm in width from the markings made previously. control pad. We drilled 2 holes on the right side of the
However, do this on only one side of the longer edge. box for the wires. The box we used is 14cm by 7cm.
Step #5:
Use a scalpel to cut out the markings made. Use the
back of the scalpel to score the additional width (0.6mm).
Step #6:
Mark out the holes that you need to cut out for the LEDs, Step #9:
buttons and wire header to fit through. Use a scalpel to
Attach velcro strips to the base of the box. This will
cut out the holes.
help the control pad and arduino to stay on place.
Step #7: Step #10:
With the 2 pieces of cardboard you have, duct tape It is then ready to be connected to the arduino.
only one side of it to form a box. Attach a velcro strip
at the back of the box. We labeled the various buttons
---------------------
to the different modes.
Food Dispenser System 34
Putting It Together -------------

Arduino Code:

Step #1: Step #2:

Attach the servo and dispenser to the wooden On the next row, solder 1 button on the perf board.
structure with the velcro strips. This button will be used to control the servo.

---------------------

Final Product:

Download the full code from:

bit.ly/DispenserCode

Once connected, you now have a food dispenser that

dispenses when it senses an object nearby!
35 Red Panda Enrichment Food Dispenser System 36
Sustainability:
Food Launcher System + Rock Sensors
This system while initially designed for the red
pandas, could be utilised for other agile animals
instead such as the primates and serval cats.
These quick-witted animals would be more
suited for the challenging nature of the rocks, as
they would have to figure out the randomised
patterns to tap on the rocks.
However due to the time constraints of this
course, areas of the rocks and catapult could
be further improved. As the rocks currently are
made of cement, overtime they could become
more brittle and chip off or even break. Thus, a
sturdier material such as acrylic could be used
to custom-make a replica of the rocks. The
replica could also be redesigned to encapsulate
the LED and buzzer so as to make the entire
rock water-proof as currently the underside of
the rocks is still exposed.
For the catapult, the entire prototype could be
re-created on a larger scale so the launching
power can be increased and more food can
37 Red Panda Enrichment
be tossed to the animal. Furthermore, as this
system encompasses a substantial amount of
wiring, the degradation of wires overtime can
pose a huge problem.
One area to improve would be the aspect of
wire management. Brass materials used for
the catapult may also rust overtime, therefore
metals such as stainless steel or aluminium
is recommended in the reproduction of this
system.
Food Dispenser System + Ultrasonic Sensor
The dispenser prototype is made based on prior
testing, for the purpose of dispensing food for
the red pandas. It will be situated within an
artificial log in the red panda enclosure. The
current dispenser can be enhanced with some
improvements.
Firstly, a sturdier material such as acrylic can be
used as compared to the current PVC tubing. By
using a transparent acrylic tube, it also allows
the zookeeper to check for food remains easily.
Secondly, the dispenser is presently mounted to
a wooden stand to mimic the dispenser when in
the log. When placed in the log, it would need
to be attached with strong velcro or magnets
to ensure the device stays in place. The servo
should always be secured to a flat and sturdy
roof to allow only the gear to spin.
Thirdly, the compartment areas and dispensing
outlet can be expanded to fit larger pieces of
fruits. At the moment, the dispenser can only
hold fruits with measurements of approximately
3cm x 3cm.
For the ultrasonic sensor, the wooden box can
be covered with a water-based wood sealant to
ensure that it is waterproof.
Lastly, we used transparent tubes to house the
wires connecting the dispenser to the ultrasonic
sensor. Brown rubber tubes can be used instead
to ensure that it blends in with the enclosure.
We can foresee this device to be placed in red
panda enclosure as it requires low involvement
from the red panda to dispense food. It is sturdy
and reliable, and would dispense food at an
intermittent timing, making the red pandas less
dependent on the zookeepers. In addition, more
ultrasonic sensors can be added to enhance the
sensitivity of the device. If more artificial logs
are present in the enclosure, more devices and
be built and placed inside the enclosure as well.
Sustainability 38