Class 10 kids Create AI to Feed Stray Dogs

Students of Shiv Nadar School, New Delhi, have come up with an AI-enabled dog feeder to prevent the starvation of stray dogs. The device is made up of open-source technology and coding languages like Python, with a built-in UV sanitization mechanism.

All from Class 10, the team ‘Voice for the Voiceless’, comprises three young innovators, named Shantanu Mukherjee, Ekansh Agrawal, and Arijit Sinha, who invented the intelligent dog feeding device.  

‘VOICE’ is a smart feeder with an in-built camera and a sensor to recognise a dog. The technology triggers within the machine dispense a certain amount of dog food. The algorithm used in the device captures and processes a live video feed from the device's camera. It detects the presence of a dog using 'computer vision', while training to detect a dog in its proximity. 

When asked about their inspiration, the students said they were driven by the #JusticeforBruno movement that bought nationwide attention to animal cruelty and starvation.

According to a State of Pet Homelessness Index Report-2021, 80 million cats and dogs in India are homeless on the streets with no care at all. The target customers for the device are animal shelters, organizations, and NGOs working for the welfare of stray dogs. 

Devised with unique artificial intelligent algorithms, the prototype will function without the user putting in much effort. The students also aim to give it to dog lovers, at a minimal cost of about  Rs 5,000. Considering aspects such as technology, size, and design, the final price of the device is expected to be in the range of Rs 9000-10,000.