Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Plant Irrigation and Monitoring System |
Carlos Toledo John Burns Kevin Le |
Sainath Barbhai | design_document2.pdf final_paper1.pdf other1.pdf photo1.pdf photo2.jpeg photo3.jpeg proposal2.pdf |
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| # Plant Irrigation and Monitoring System Team Members: - Kevin Le (kevinle2) - John Burns (jeburns2) - Carlos Toledo (ctoledo2) # Problem Gardening is a skill that takes a lot of intensive care and effort as each individual plant has its respective living condition it must meet. These living conditions such as required sunlight, minimum amount of water, and climate vary from plant to plant and it can be very difficult to be attentive to all these details in keeping your plants in the best possible condition as we are occupied with our busy lives or simply lack the skill. Watering outdoor plants can be very tedious and a task often forgotten. # Solution Our solution to this is to micro-manage all of the important aspects in the living necessities of a plant and take these variables to form an algorithm to create a smart irrigation system. This system will help the user monitor a single plant or more. Conditions including extreme heat and significant rain will affect how the system reacts. Ambient temperature, soil moisture levels, and light intensity will be reported to the user. In terms of current competitors on the market, other similar products are limited to the number of plants that can be monitored and require a water pump. This system will be modular and can be linked together to build a larger system. Other systems only measure the moisture content within the first couple inches of the surface and do not connect directly to a water hose. Our solution will water the plant till the whole pot is moist. Using Solenoid valves in connection to a garden hose for irrigation, a single plant can be configured to have a minimal moisture level, providing the most desirable conditions for your plant, or a connect system can be created via dixie chaining, There is a similar project from Spring 2023 but there are significant differences. The Project i and referring to is the "Don't Kill My Plant" Habit Tracker. Their project converts phone habits to watering / environmental changes. Our project aims to care for the plant in an outdoor setting and allows for multiple plants to be taken care of. Another similar project is DIY Plantify from Spring 2023. This project moves plants away from light if it is too intense and tests moisture levels based on weight. Again, very different from our water irrigation system. # Solution Components Functionality: - **Single-Plant Monitoring:** The base system focuses on the care of one plant, allowing for precise and customized care/monitoring. - **Daisy-Chaining:** Users can easily expand the system by adding more boards, each responsible for monitoring and irrigating a different plant. - **Customizable Irrigation:** Users can set specific watering schedules and conditions based on the needs of each plant, ensuring efficient water use. - **Soil Moisture Evaluation:** The algorithm assesses the soil moisture level using data from the moisture sensors. If the soil is too dry, it may trigger the need to notify the user when the plant reaches its configured minimum moisture rating. Depending on the moisture level, water will be dispensed to adjust the moisture to a desirable level to any plant in the ecosystem. - **Decision Making:** Based on the analysis of the sensor data, the algorithm decides whether to provide additional water when minimum needs are not met for the plant(s). ## Moisture Level Compensation: Parts: - Solenoid Valve - 12V - 1/2" - Grove - Moisture Sensor Using Moisture sensors, the moisture of any given plant will be reported and used for detecting the need for watering, creating configurable moisture levels. When moisture levels are below the preset minimum level for any configured plant, the Solenoid valve will be opened. Until the satisfied level is reached, water will provide water to the system of plants. Surface level and based moisture sensors will determine the amount of water the plants need. ## User Interface + App Parts: - 1604 LCD 16x4 Module - wifi / bluetooth module Using an on-board and web application for the configuration of the Automatic Mini-Garden Cover, the user can configure the system to provide the optimal direct light and help the user monitor the plant’s environmental conditions. As a web application, using React and or Node.js, the user can configure their plants from their phone or computer. # Criterion For Success Criterion for Success for the Plant Irrigation and Monitoring System: The fundamental success factors revolve around the system's ability in providing optimal moisture for plants by closely monitoring their individual soil moisture levels. It must provide users with the flexibility to effortlessly tailor watering schedules and preferences for each plant, ensuring that their unique requirements are met with precision. Scalability stands as a key aspect, with the system designed to be modular, allowing for straightforward expansion to accommodate an evolving garden. Simultaneously, it should possess the intelligence to autonomously address low moisture levels by promptly activating the irrigation system and notifying users when their attention or intervention is necessary. The user interface, whether accessed on the device itself and or through a web-based platform, should exemplify user-friendliness, dependability, and accuracy, offering real-time insights into the conditions of each plant within the garden. Durability and compatibility remain essential, ensuring the system seamlessly integrates with the typical garden hose setup, and can withstand exposure to outdoor elements without compromising functionality. Furthermore, the system should actively encourage the creation of a scalable ecosystem, enabling users to expand their garden while maintaining consistent care standards, thus solidifying its status as a valuable tool suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. |
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