EnCata engineered a smart hydroponics IoT plant pot that automates plant care through nutrient dosing, using sensors and cloud control. We delivered industrial design, CAD models, BOM, and specs to help the client move from lab research to a market-ready device.
A group of agricultural scientists came to EnCata with the idea of developing a consumer IoT “pot” for home plant vegetation. The team had significant experience in plant biology, and they required an engineering concept development and customized industrial design to differentiate it from other indoor DYI hydroponic solutions.
We were tasked with both the technical concept development and also engineering consultancy support in order to set the direction for their further in-house development of the project.
Our Role
Concept development
Industrial design
Engineering consultancy
CAD design
BOM development
Technologies Used
pH sensor / meter
Root ventilator
UV solution treatment
Grow light LED
Ultrasonic mist generator/fogger
Rechargeable battery
Wi-Fi on ESP32
Bluetooth low energy (BLE)
Peristaltic pump
For Enterprises
• R&D + design + manufacturing under ONE roof • Scale up and down your team • Intergrated hardware + software development • New technologies and research
The initial work on this project involved product definition followed by engineering specif development. The product functionality and developed user stories suggested the product should comprise these components and modules:
A "Pot" for growing plants
A cup for periodic seed germination
A module for triggering seed germination and growth (stepper driven peristaltic pump)
An ultrasonic fog/mist generator for plant root nutrition
Blowing of the radiator to cool the nutrient solution
Enabled solution circulation over the membrane of the mist generator
Solution temperature control
pH sensors to control the solution acidity and indirect control of the dissolved fertilizers’ concentration
Chemical control of the nutrient solution
Solution level control
Water tank built into the body - 20L + the filler neck with filter
Replaceable containers for concentrated chemicals - 0.5 L, 5 pcs.
Periodic ventilation of the mist chamber
Ultraviolet treatment of the solution
Height-adjustable stand with Phyto LED lamp
Light sensors
Plant growth controls and sensors
External temperature sensor
External humidity sensor
Glazing + ventilation of the pot
Back-up battery + charging unit
User interface: Indicator panel
Wireless IoT-enabled mobile/cloud connectivity to gather sensor data
Light reflector
Hydroponics is not ideal technology from the IoT and automation standpoint as the salty solution mist is highly corrosive for various parts and components exposed. For example, many plant pot IoT solutions are plagued with the problem of ‘fertilizer salts crystallization,’ which dramatically reduces their lifespan and requires painstaking maintenance. Additionally, the humid hydroponic environment enables the growth of various bacteria, germs and fungi which can impact the host pot/plant as well as cause a plethora of other unwanted implications. Therefore, it is crucial in design and engineering of the smart IoT agriculture products to consider special materials and water/humidity proof enclosures for modules involved.
We developed the technical concept with this spec together with the preliminary bill of materials (BOM). Industrial design sketches and render visuals helped visualize various paths for product appearance. The developed technical concept and component arrangement were all made in CAD so it was a lot easier for the industrial designers to work with the form and shape of the product.
The consumer market for smart agronomy demands a “click-and-grow” solution, which seems easy to design at first glance. Available smart B2C solutions often frustrate consumers as they demand much routine maintenance, DIY skills for tweaking them and leave users with their hands dirty as if they were growing their flowers and vegetables traditionally.
Need help developing a custom IoT agriculture product? Feel free to get in touch with us. We will supply you with a precise estimate promptly!
Results and Benefits
In this project, we helped the startup move their lab agronomy technology in the consumer market direction and developed a detailed technical concept with Bill of Materials, CAD models and documentation for further prototyping.