Schoolgirls Develop an AI-Controlled Cat Feeder

13.08.2026, University News:

How do you use artificial intelligence to programme an automatic feeder to dispense food to just one cat? Ten female students in Years 10 to 13 tackled this challenge at the ‘Girls @ HNU Summer Lab’, which took place from 3 to 7 August 2026 at Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU): they learnt about the basic concepts of programming and artificial intelligence and put these into practice straight away using a microcontroller.

The focus was on developing an AI-controlled cat feeding station that dispenses food only when a pet is detected. The station, modelled on the water tower on campus, was developed in collaboration with the HNU Innovation Space. In addition, the pupils carried out their own smaller projects using the UNIHIKER K10.

An HNU team comprising staff from research, administration and student affairs supported the pupils

Prof. Dr Erica Weilemann took on the role of academic director of the lab. She was supported by tutors Patrizia Kienzle and Tabea Stabenow, as well as research assistant Sarah Dreher. Magdalena Fremdling was responsible for the organisation and also strengthened the group’s cohesion through daily team-building events. Jenny Nguyen provided support as a student assistant, whilst Dietmar Gräf acted as laboratory manager. Niklas Müller from the Innovation Space contributed his expertise in design thinking and prototype development, whilst Dr Galiya Klinkova from the Logistics Laboratory handled the 3D printing of individual components. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dany Meyer-Renner, Deputy University Women’s Representative at HNU, has a special connection to the Summer Lab: she initiated the programme in 2021 and also oversaw the final presentations this year.

Erste Programmierschritte mit sichtbaren Ergebnissen

Die Teilnehmerinnen arbeiteten die ganze Woche über engagiert an ihren Projekten, und auch das Feedback zur Veranstaltung fiel durchweg positiv aus. Bei der Abschlusspräsentation am Freitag hatten die Schülerinnen schließlich die Gelegenheit, ihre Ergebnisse Freundinnen und Familien vorzustellen.

About Girls @ HNU Summer Lab

‘Girls @ HNU Summer Lab’ is an annual programme run by HNU for schoolgirls in Years 10 to 13. In an all-girls group, participants have the opportunity to delve deep into the world of programming. Over the course of a week, they explore new ideas, learn the basics of programming and physical computing, and immediately put their knowledge into practice through hands-on projects. Through this programme, the university, in collaboration with the Women’s Representative Team, is setting an example for equal opportunities and actively promoting the principle of gender equality. Young women are encouraged to explore fields of study and careers in which they are currently under-represented, but which offer them excellent prospects for the future.