About
Documentation and background for the AntsByClaude project.
Project Overview
AntsByClaude is an experiment that combines biology, hardware, and software to observe and monitor an ant colony. The project uses environmental sensors and a camera system to collect data about colony conditions and ant behavior.
The focus is on observation, data collection, and system design. The goal is to build a reliable monitoring platform that provides insight into colony dynamics over time, rather than to automate or control colony behavior.
All data collected is used to understand patterns, track changes in the environment, and inform decisions about maintaining optimal conditions for the colony.
Ant Colony
The colony is in an early stage of development with a small number of workers. Camponotus vicinus is a species of carpenter ant native to western North America, known for their relatively large size and preference for nesting in wood.
The primary goal at this stage is to maintain a stable, observable environment that supports colony growth while enabling continuous monitoring and data collection.
Technology Stack
Design Philosophy
All system components, data sources, and methodologies are documented. The project prioritizes clear, honest representation of capabilities and limitations.
The system architecture favors straightforward solutions over complex abstractions. Each component serves a clear purpose and can be understood in isolation.
Features are added gradually based on observed needs and validated requirements. The system evolves through small, tested changes rather than large-scale redesigns.