If there is one bright spot in this pandemic, it is all the extra time we spend with our pets. The dog especially likes that we are always at home and want to spend time playing, but sometimes you need to get work done. Why not go out with your laptop and use an automatic ball launcher to make the dog happy?

This is a work in progress, and [Connor] plans to release the BOM and STL files when they are all completed. Currently, it is a working prototype that can shoot a ball into the air about 25 feet from its appearance. It's interesting enough, but it's not far from getting over the fence.

[Connor] All you have to do is toss the ball to the top, and you know this will lead to training the dog to do it on its own. A proximity sensor detects the ball and activates a pair of 540 R/C motors, and then the servo lowers the ball from the internal chute. The motor spit out the ball with great force through a pair of special-shaped 3D printed wheels controlled by Turnigy ESC and Arduino Nano.

In the future, [Connor] plans to print a cover for electronic devices and expand the funnel so that the dog can fall into the ball more easily. Check out a short demo and make a video after the break.

All dogs should be able to participate in a wonderful catch game as they wish, even if they happen to be blind.

Loop: FETCH ball GOTO loop

Doesn’t seem so smart compared to cats: D

I think the cat’s code is: Loop: GOTO Loop

So, it depends on your definition of "smart". :-)

In fact, for cats, the answer is "Go, I'm taking a nap."

Throwing a ball, the cat thought "Well, you throw it, you go get it, I'm the manager."

If I keep throwing, my cat will play all day. The dog will never bring it back.

The last time Pokey played, he would sit on the sofa and throw it away, waiting for me to catch it.

It seems strange, but sometimes dogs are not interested in playing ball. In the past, when we saw the ball when we were out, he would at least simply pick it up (and before that, take it home). But he is not showing interest now.

He is 14.5 years old, older than many Labrador dogs.

Take good care of him. He will leave soon, which would be terrible. If you know that you have given him a good life, it will really help. I lost my 13-year-old German Shepherd last year. She is such a good girl...

It's great to see Onshape users, very well designed. Very cool, people can visit it: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a460d476ac3d9e97c257ba80/w/1891adc263c9008f337cfd4e/e/e41038ffd4a2cffd823ade48 When launching the ball, what kind of hand will it launch in front of it? I want to know how much energy this releases. So now you only need to train the dog to throw the ball on the launcher to have endless fun, and it is very suitable for dogs!

I agree with that. I like Onshape.

I still like that

You beat me!

That version is also here, but I don't bother to look for it.

Labrador Retrievers are basically stupid. The device needs a funnel full of balls, has a launch delay, and occasionally fake launches (dogs never learn and always run for invisible balls), and then it will be more automatic, and will not rely on the dog to show any degree of intelligence and Put the ball back in the correct position. However, the food reward system may help. Jerry is talented-exercising his dog in a happy and futile way.

Why are there so many tips about "not interacting with your dog" your dog is your best friend. You should cherish the time you spend with them instead of avoiding it. The dog loses interest because it wants to play with you. Instead of some machines

Seeing this, I can't help feeling a little sad.

If you create a machine for you to hang out with your friends now, you have automated your social life (if such a thing exists now)

These are great! Combine this with an automatic feeder and an automatic toilet box, so you don't even have to look at or get close to your pet. Weeks. Wait, why do we have pets?

OK! This is what I started in 2012. It appeared on the cover of Make magazine with an article on how to do it. https://youtu.be/V9UOcUKazSA

For those who complain about devices that avoid interacting with your dog, please consider this. Some dogs chase the ball mercilessly. You can only spend so much time throwing a ball for the dog before your arms reach out, you have to go to work, you have to clean the house, and many other necessary activities. It is not a substitute for interacting with your dog, but a supplement. This is especially important for high-energy dogs such as Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, and (some) German Shepherds.

Having said that, not all dogs can learn to use one. One of my German Shepherds is very smart, but her problem is that although she really wants you to throw the ball, it is difficult for her to let go of the ball she has. I have to use three tennis balls to keep one effective. I spent a lot of time working with her and asked her to throw the ball into the funnel of iSpot, but she just couldn't let herself let go, even if she knew (as far as I know) there would be another one in the air instantly.

My other GSD knows iSpot, but doesn't care about it because they want human interaction.

My friend Malinois likes ChuckIt, once he knows he shouldn't stand in front of it.

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