Product Specification
Our Goals:
Our product specification currently includes goals that we are looking into including into our product as we develop it in the future. We are looking towards a product that serves as a sensor that goes into the soil of the plant and will sense moisture levels pertaining to the plant every certain amount of time. The user will be notified by either a notification from an app that we connect to the device or the device will light up when the moisture levels are too low. Below we have some criteria for the device that is going under further discussion.
Tech Specs:
We are currently exploring options on how to create this system and are looking to have three different components: an alert system, setting the water value, and the shell to encase the electrical components. We plan on using a capacitive moisture sensor to help us detect the presence or absence of water in our potted plant and using a Wi-Fi-controlled microcontroller to be able to wirelessly connect our system to a phone application.
Design Criteria Goals:
Form
Compact form
Less than 0.5 lb
Small enough to fit into a potted plant
Function
Able to read soil moisture data.
Set an ideal moisture percentage
If results are under the ideal moisture the device will notify the user that their plant requires water.
Able to take at least one measurement of soil moisture per hour.
Potentially have a database of plant types.
Durability
Needs to be IPX 5 or IPX 4 water resistant because the product will constantly be splashed or sprayed with water and we do not want the electronics inside to be damaged.
Materials
WIFI controlled microcontroller - to control and act as the "brain" of the product.
Capacitive soil moisture sensor - to read the moisture value of the soil, so when the value is too low it can run the set code.
Aesthetics
Unobtrusive and easily hidden so that the device does not distract from the beauty of the plant.
If the user is looking for something functional and decorative, we can add a small design to the end of the device that is sticking out of the soil. For example, a frog, bee, ladybug, etc.
Ergonomics
The system needs simple instructions to make it easy to set up and use.
Safety and Legal Issues
Mold and/or calcium build-up in or around the product could be a problem because of the water that will be used around the product.
Cost
We are aiming for $40 or less because we want to offer consumers a cheaper alternative. All in all, we are aiming to make our product as inexpensive as we can. We recognize that the electronics in the device will increase cost, especially the microcontroller that will be used.
Customer Needs
A support service for any trouble the consumer may be facing.