Design and Development of a Low-Cost Scalable GSM-IoT Smart Pet Feeder with a Remote Mobile Application

TL;DR

The paper tackles reliable pet feeding in busy households by delivering a GSM-based, internet-independent feeder built around an Arduino Uno, SIM800L, ultrasonic sensing, and a servo dispenser. It pairs SMS-based remote control with a MIT App Inventor mobile app to operate in areas with weak or no internet connectivity. A total cost around $35 and a power-efficient design support scalable deployment, with experimental validation showing a 98% SMS command success rate and ±2.67% dispensing accuracy. Limitations include dependence on cellular coverage and battery management, while future work envisages solar charging, weight sensing, cameras, and multi-pet support to broaden applicability.

Abstract

Pet ownership is increasingly common in modern households, yet maintaining a consistent feeding schedule remains challenging for the owners particularly those who live in cities and have busy lifestyles. This paper presents the design, development, and validation of a low-cost, scalable GSM-IoT smart pet feeder that enables remote monitoring and control through cellular communication. The device combines with an Arduino microcontroller, a SIM800L GSM module for communication, an ultrasonic sensor for real-time food-level assessment, and a servo mechanism for accurate portion dispensing. A dedicated mobile application was developed using MIT App Inventor which allows owners to send feeding commands and receive real-time status updates. Experimental results demonstrate a 98\% SMS command success rate, consistent portion dispensing with $\pm 2.67$\% variance, and reliable autonomous operation. Its modular, energy-efficient design makes it easy to use in a wide range of households, including those with limited resources. This work pushes forward the field of accessible pet care technology by providing a practical, scalable, and completely internet-independent solution for personalized pet feeding. In doing so, it sets a new benchmark for low-cost, GSM-powered automation in smart pet products.

Figures (9)

• Figure 1: Proposed System Diagram for Controlling each Components
• Figure 2: Schametic Diagram of the Project
• Figure 3: (a) Mobile Application Interface, (b) Workflow Diagram
• Figure 4: Smart Pet Feeder Prototype
• Figure 5: Ultrasonic Sensor Performance Analysis (Theoretical vs Actual)