261K views · Mar 12, 2012 · 26:24 · 3 HN recommenders · 6 mentions · discussed 2014–2023
A PyCon 2012 talk by Kurt Grandis on building an automated water-squirting turret that uses Python and computer vision to detect and drive off squirrels from a bird feeder.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN loves it as a funny, inspiring hobby project and calls it one of the best conference talks ever.
“Perhaps the best presentation to a programming language conference in history.”HN comment, 2014
“Perhaps the best presentation to a programming language conference in history.”
Considered one of the best programming conference presentations.
"Militarizing Your Backyard With Python" - Perhaps the best presentation to a programming language conference in history. this video
“shows how to build a water-hose-turret that automatically recognizes and blasts squirrels”
Builds a turret that recognizes and blasts squirrels with water.
In related squirrel news: The "Daylight Robbery" documentary has some very interesting squirrel obstacle courses. You can find it on youtube - link "Militarizing your Backyard with Python" shows how to build a water-hose-turret that automatically recognizes and blasts squirrels - this video
“Check this video out for ideas”
Project ideas: ML and servo-controlled squirt gun against squirrels.
I don't think you'll find a 'quick hack' but what you're asking is definitely possible as a project. Check this video out for ideas(guy used ML/servo controlled squirt gun to get rid of squirrels from his bird house) this video
“It deals with using computer vision to fire a squirt gun at squirrels.”
Using computer vision to fire a squirt gun at squirrels.
Indeed. Here's something somewhat related, from PyCon 2012. It deals with using computer vision to fire a squirt gun at squirrels. The principle is basically the same. this video
“somebody built a squirrel detector/watergun combo to protect their bird feeders”
Squirrel detector and water gun protecting bird feeders harmlessly.
Ten years ago, somebody built a squirrel detector/watergun combo to protect their bird feeders without harming the squirrels, [0] [0] this video
“AI controlled sentry gun for shooting squirrels with water”
Example of a hobbyist's AI-controlled water sentry gun.
Some Hobbyists still want to push the envelope. Think the artist equivalent of the guy building a AI controlled sentry gun for shooting squirrels with water. this video
