IIIT-B & IIHR's IoT AutoGrow System Boosts Precision Farming

The primary objective of the project is to bring about a transformative change in agriculture through the creation of a fully automated and self-regulating farming system. The AutoGrow Laboratory, which will be unveiled shortly, will be the platform for this new system.

"At IIITB, we are thrilled to be a part of the AutoGrow project, which has the potential to revolutionise agriculture." The Internet of Things-based data sensing system and AI/ML approaches will allow the AutoGrow system to make real-time data-driven decisions, optimising crop output and resource utilisation. This approach, we believe, will be critical in maintaining food security and sustainability for future generations. We are proud to be working with IIHR on this interdisciplinary project and look forward to seeing its impact on the agricultural industry,” said Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIITB.

The Internet of Things-based data sensing system and AI/ML approaches will allow the AutoGrow system to make real-time data-driven decisions, optimising crop output and resource utilisation.

The AutoGrow system can be configured in three ways: hydroponics, open grow farming, and vertical arrangement. The project team has been researching different settings in order to optimize the technology for precision farming. "The ultimate goal is to deploy the sensor system and an AI/ML model into the open farm, which will control water flow, add minerals, and record data such as temperature, humidity, and water flow," stated Dr. Ramesh Kestur, Principal Investigator (PI), IIITB.

The AutoGrow system can be configured in three ways: hydroponics, open grow farming, and vertical arrangement. The project team has been researching different settings in order to optimise the technology for precision farming. "The ultimate goal is to deploy the sensor system and an AI/ML model into the open farm, which will control water flow, add minerals, and record data such as temperature, humidity, and water flow," stated Dr. Ramesh Kestur, Principal Investigator (PI), IIITB.

The IIHR is providing biological support for the project, while the IIIT-B is developing IoT and AI/ML approaches that will allow the system to be applied in biological systems. The team has successfully constructed a greenhouse in IIIT-B and is currently working on the three various AutoGrow system setups.

The AutoGrow system has the potential to greatly boost agricultural yields, reduce waste, and secure food security for future generations as the project progresses and the AutoGrow system is deployed in the field.

The collaboration between IIITB and IIHR represents an important step forward in multidisciplinary research and emphasizes the necessity of technology and biology working together to address global concerns.