I’m away from home but seriously considering setting up a driveway camera with image recognition once I’m home and can get parts. Mostly becase it sounds cool

Yeah, I want to setup some POE wired Security cameras around the house, but it's going to be too much work as the house is made of concrete blocks and bricks, and its a 2storey, so running the cabling through the ceiling space and out the soffit is not an option.

So it’s to stop the cat if they are holding a mouse, right? How does the “stopping” bit work?

Yeap exactly. I was initially thinking of triggering an electromagnet, but have since swung towards a "push/pull" linear solenoid actuator, which would physically block the door from opening. The reason I'm leaning towards the solenoid is that it would give me the flexibility to configure to either a "normally locked" or "normally unlocked" state (when no power is applied), plus I wouldn't have to think about how strong of an electromagnet is needed (and the increasing power requirements for it).

[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Ah yes, that makes sense. It also allows you to have it only locked for "in" and always open for "out" without needing some mechanism to release the lock for an outgoing cat. Assuming I understand right that an electromagnet would be used to hold the door shut under that option.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Ahh yeah, Very true! Another benefit haha. Another solid reason to go with the solenoid then :)

I just realised I actually have a rpi4 that can connect to the camera unit - could've been testing things out the last few days while I wait. Might have something to play with over the long weekend after all.

[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Awesome! I look forward to hearing the progress!

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'll try and not be distracted by other projects lol

[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Haha I know the feeling. I bought IR blasters due to a comment on Lemmy and one of these days I'll do something with them!

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Haha. I know that feeling too well.

What were you originally thinking of doing with the IR Blasters?

[–] Dave 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Originally heat pump stuff, but then it got too complicated and also we were looking at moving house so I thought I'd wait, then I thought maybe the TV so I could turn it on and off but in the end I got a PC/TV remote which we use instead.

So they are just sitting there waiting for me to think of a new project 😆

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I keep buying components cause they look cool, or I think I'll need them for some project later lol.

I use nice tactix storage organizers to try and keep everything organized, but I just learned that they've stopped stocking the "deep" version :(

[–] Dave 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I try not to buy stuff until I'm planning on using it, but sometimes plans don't work out.

My storage is to just throw it in a box of junk 😆

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago

My storage started off pretty similar, then I added some storage containers, and then I couldn't find stuff so I repurchased things I already had etc, so I put together a simple Google Sheet with all my inventory lol. Might add which container etc, each part is located to make it extra easier lol.