So, I've been ill for a while. I like to think I'm feeling better. The project must go on! If not - what's going to remind me about pills I need to take on time and food schedule I need to keep on?

from left to right - power module, display module, main module and comms module

I've designed a comms module and a lid for it. The lid incorporates a Pi camera - I'd want to keep it hinged in the next versions, so it's in a separate fixture. It's also separated for safety - again, this is the most vulnerable part. Need to remember that for the future revisions, which there will be.

2 modules done, 2 to go. I'll start designing either the power module or the main module tomorrow. The main module, as you can see, is a prototype from laser-cut acrylics, from when the only thing I had available was a laser cutter. That was the start of the project and long ago. Now, I'll focus on 3D printing.

Now it just waits for a soldering session, oh, and some connectors.

After I do this build log, I'll publish the model files, for 3D printing and redesigning. Hope I don't forget to do this =)

I'll think about adding another display on top of the existing 24x2 one - for notifications and status messages, since that is going to be important. Will need to see about the I2C bus since the address will be the same as the existing display. I might just add another I2C bus from USB though, or invent another solution - such as an ATTiny-driven address changer that'd sit in I2C line between the Pi and the display and relay the requests =) If I'm doing that, I'm also adding some annoying LEDs to signify the importance of things I'm notified about.

Is there such a thing as "a cat for scale"?

I'm using a Pi B+. Just that, no 2s or 3s. Why? Power consumption. I'll be happy to have 10-14 hours of continuous operation with all the peripherals, I guess. Also, the fact that it's most likely going to be enough. If not, I'll upgrade everything - along with the power management system, I guess.

It'll need a GPS. I have one module I could experiment on, but I need to see about power consumption - I might need to buy a less consuming module later.

Alright, I'll go to sleep now as I'm feeling quite sleepy.