Home

Keep Your Dog Entertained All Day Long with the Fetch-O-Matic Ball Launcher

Aug 5, 2012 09:10 PM

A dog interacting with a training device on grass.

Dogs make great best friends, but anyone who's had one knows they can be the most high-maintenance friend you've ever had. Bathroom breaks, feeding schedules and walks are only the beginning. Even if you make your dog organic treats and teach it neat tricks, it still needs to play. And after that fifth game of fetch, your arm can get pretty tired.

Dean Segovis decided to fix this problem with the Fetch-O-Matic, a contraption that throws the ball for you.

A dog playing fetch with a ball in a grassy outdoor setting.

According to Segovis, "it operates on a cordless drill battery, a windshield wiper motor (worm gear reduction/high torque), some wire, and a micro switch."

Woodworking tools and techniques displayed in a workshop setting.

Image Credit hackaweek.com

If you're the DIY type, you probably have most of the tools you'll need for this. Check out the video below to see it in action and watch a detailed tutorial.

You can download the templates and diagrams needed to build the Fetch-O-Matic here.

Homemade device on grass with a wooden structure and a battery.

And you can check out the full story at Make.

You already know how to use your phone. With Gadget Hacks' newsletter, we'll show you how to master it. Each week, we explore features, hidden tools, and advanced settings that give you more control over iOS and Android than most users even know exists.