The idea started a bit differently, but as it was too wide for building a specific prototype I reduced the scale of the project.
The project was presented as urban seeds, which can be acquired as a kit and placed anywhere. Each “seed” is expected to be “self-sufficient”, by this I mean that it creates its own environmental conditions to grow like humidity, heat, water, and by placing many seeds together a microclimate can be created in unused spaces, acting according to the environmental change as one system. This way, all these unused spaces which remain close creating limits to the interaction of the city will become boundaries, activating a new flow inside the city. Finally, it is a way of bringing people closer to electronics, by introducing it to everyday life.
After getting closer to the actual creation of the idea, the scale was reduced to "WATER SEEDS" which involves one output for now and is addressed for a domestic purpose.
_HOW IS THIS GOING TO WORK
what will it do?
Water seeds is "self sufficient" modules for people to grow their plants with little care.
Each module contains:
an activator, humidity values through a humidity sensor.
one output, a servo motor that runs a water pump allowing the water flow when necessary
a water container, which can collect rain water. Finally, power supply, through solar energy and LiPo battery
Who's done what beforehand?
One of the triggers of the original concepto was the CityFarm MIT Research in “grow it HERE and eat it HERE”.
WindowFarms
What materials and components will be required?
Barduino board attached to
Humidity sensor
LiPo Battery
Solar Panel with solar charging board
Servo motor/water pump
Materials: laser cutted acrylic
3d printed water container
Where will they come from?
Most of the materials can be found in local labs.
How much will it cost?
Methacrylate, for the size if this kit: €15
ABS filament: around €25 the roll, I used 65gr = €7
Solar Panel: I recycled one I had, around €10
Humidity sensor = €1,60
Barduino components around €10
TOTAL: €43
What parts and systems will be made?
Laser cut the acrylic nest containing all of the other parts
Laser cut the acrylic parts to assembly the water pump
3d print the electronic containers and water container
Both boards connecting the solar panel and LiPo battery for powering up
What processes will be used?
3D designing and modeling (solidworks): Design the module, the assembly system and the internal pieces that will hold the electronics components
2D files in Rhinoceros: from 3d model in solidworks to 2d for laser cut
Electronics: Milling one Barduino board and a solar charging board.
Programming: Barduino + Arduino IDE
Laser cutting: the body of the seed will be laser cutted in acrylic
3D printing: the parts containing the electronics
What tasks need to be completed?
The design of the whole prototype
What questions need to be answered?
Which is the right material for it to be an outdoor system?
Which is the actual voltage at which the servo can block the water tube?
How will the joints of the prototype be?
What is the schedule?
How will it be evaluated?
The solar energy has to be capable of powering the whole system and the water pump work according to the programming.