Smart Farming by Fully Automated Hydroponic System
Smart Farming, No Soil Needed
Team Members:
- Abdulla Abuswai (IE)
- Mohamad Alsalih (IE)
- Obaida Saleh (IE)
- Amir Elhajjar (IE)
- Mohamad Farhat (IE)
Hydroponic farming is an innovative method of cultivating plants without soil, relying solely on a nutrient-rich water solution to support plant growth. This approach eliminates the need for soil, opening up a myriad of new possibilities while also presenting unique challenges.
Among the benefits are the production of high-quality food, significant water conservation, optimal utilization of space, and a system that saves time. However, the drawbacks include substantial initial setup costs, dependence on a continuous power supply, and the need for specialized knowledge.
Our team is dedicated to fully automating the hydroponic system by integrating sensors that monitor the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) levels in the water. These sensors will trigger adjustments in the levels by calibrating with dosing pumps, which activate when the pH or EC falls below a predetermined threshold.
Additionally, the automation extends to climate control, with fans and air conditioning units responding to sensor data to maintain optimal growing conditions. The entire system operates within a newly constructed greenhouse, which has been completed without any complications. The hydroponic system is functioning flawlessly.
The project’s goal is to automate the farm, collect data, and apply machine learning models like Random Forest to predict plant needs. The collected data is projected on ThingSpeak, allowing for real-time visualization and analysis. This integration aims to optimize farming practices and enhance decision-making in hydroponic agriculture.