Our team is developing a product called OptiCrop which will help agricultural industries minimise the waste of resources through its smart and automated watering system. It is a portable moving robot which monitors the health of plants, reads the moisture level of the plant’s soil, and waters them to an efficient level.
OPTICROP
UN SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Empowered and Driven:
Delivering Solutions for Global Issues
Goal 1 & 2- No poverty & Zero hunger: More plants (or crops which produce fruits and vegetables) can be grown naturally, resulting in more nutritious food for more people, reducing the need to buy from other sources and contributing to zero hunger as more individuals will not have the necessity to purchase as Opticrop will
Goal 11- Sustainable cities and communities: As the watering system will tell the user about the dehydration/hydration level of the plant to the user, it is more likely that water will not be wasted, helping with sustainable cities and communities.
Goal 12- Responsible consumption and production: Opticrop improves resource efficiency by detecting plant hydration levels and giving water as needed, reducing waste and increasing sustainability. Opticrop saves water resources and also encourages responsible consumption, leading to a more sustainable city environment.
Goal 15- Life on land: Since the plant will have its hydration level checked, there is a high risk of the plant being over-watered or under-watered. This means that plants on land have a less surviving rate due to this. Using Opticrop will ensure that the plant is being hydrated to a level that allows it to live longer and contribute to the environment.
DESIGN STORY
Challenges
``Project problems and challenges: Initial investment – The robots and the required infrastructure, including sensors and sprinkler system, must be purchased in before agricultural robots with moisture detection and watering capabilities can be put into use. For some farmers, especially those with low financial means, this initial investment could be a hurdle. Complex technology – That includes sensors, actuators and control systems are necessary for agricultural robots with complex sensing and watering capabilities. Maintaining these technologies in correct measurement and operation can be difficult and need certain knowledge and experience. Maintenance – To guarantee maximum operations the robots require regular maintenance to optimise the lifetime of robotic watering systems and avoid downtime, farmers need to be ready to invest. ``
Solution
``Project solution: Initial investment – To tackle with this problem, our proposed solution is to reduce costs so more farmers and other individuals are able to purchase Opticrop. Additionally, we offer flexible payment plans or installment options to ensure farmers can have less financial burden while using Opticrop. Complex technology – To avoid very complex technology, Opticrop, uses user-friendly interface and and intuitive design that does not require additional support when handling it. Clear instructions and manuals will be given to prevent confusion. Furthermore, if necessary, online or face-to-face support can also be given. Maintenance – To ensure Opticrop has maximum lifetime, regular checks can be scheduled. Instructions, tips and techniques on manuals can be given about small issues. And, support and repair services ensure that Opticrop is in good condition with high maintenance.``
Use Case
A farmer, Alex, wants to improve irrigation systems in their farm and wants to contribute to sustainable cities by reducing water wastage while improving their crop farms. Due to a low budget, they decide to invest in Opticrop, which is a small, intuitive and easy-to-use device. With Opticrop, the farmer is able to achieve their goal reducing water wastage (this often occurred as the farmer did not know the quantity to water the plant) meaning more crops are grown naturally. Additionally, Opticrop's simplicity means that Alex will not require additional support when operating with Opticrop. This use case shows how individuals or families with limited resources can still benefit from smart irrigation systems ad technology by using available financial support mechanism.
TECHNOLOGIES
List of Essential Tools and Technologies
THE PROCESS
PROTOTYPE DESIGN
The soil moisture sensor and hose are placed in front of the Arduino, which sits on the left side. The LCD monitor and LED lighting are positioned at the back. The water storage unit is located in the center part. The upper container holds the project’s batteries. Opticrop moves around on four wheels driven by DC motors. The prototype enhances irrigation operations by combining sensor technology, micro-controller control, and autonomous mobility, assuring effective water management for agricultural applications while focusing on simplicity and ease of use.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Online Marketing
Creative agency
Web development
PLEDGE
Impact on the market
Furthermore, as global food production rises in line with population growth, agricultural robots and drones will play a significant role in ensuring agricultural food security in the future. Due to the labour shortage in farming today, the Opti-Crop model would be a more productive way for labourers to complete tasks like watering plants based on their needs, which will increase the production of nutritious food and prevent plants from dying from receiving too little or too much water. Additionally, it saves money because only one worker is required to physically insert the moisture sensor and determine the moisture content of the soil, helping in the market.
RESULTS
FINAL PRODUCT
“The OptiCrop project will take place over one year, from February 2024 to February 2025, with the goal of transforming agricultural methods through technology innovation. The initiative will start in February 2024, with a focus on targeting customers and planning. Innovative concepts have been created and significant market research is carried out to determine economic feasibility and possible target markets.
Starting in March 2024, the project’s focus moves to product design. A prototype of the OptiCrop robot is systematically built, including critical components like as cameras, soil moisture sensors, and controllers. Test runs with potential buyers give feedback for changes, whereas market fit and product analysis allows the product to match consumer demands.
In April 2024, the project will enter product development phase. A basic version of the OptiCrop hardware device is created, with extensive testing to verify functionality and stability. At the same time, applications, a website, and social media accounts in order to increase accessibility and market reach are carried out. Price strategy research and involvement in industry events help with market positioning and brand promotion, while fund allocation covers important expenditures.
By May 2023, the project will have reached an important point with the release of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Machine learning algorithms are used to improve plant identification and moisture levels, hence increasing overall accuracy and efficiency. The OptiCrop MVP is launched in the market, backed by creative advertising and marketing campaigns aimed at increasing visibility and recognition of the brand. Effective collaborations with important agricultural players help to increase OptiCrop’s reputation and market reach.
Initiatives to improve the OptiCrop product, and extending market share, and combine stakeholders will continue throughout the year. Continuous iteration and improvement make the project ahead, as OptiCrop stays committed to its aim of changing agriculture via technical innovation. By February 2025, one year after its beginning, the OptiCrop project will have made substantial progress toward changing agricultural practices, making itself as an innovator in smart irrigation and crop management systems.”
Results 1
Results 2