A sensor for just over 150 euro that can still measure a well turn of argument in cultivation ? That ’s remarkable . It is a conscious choice by Quantified Sensor Technology . The detector developer gravel into gardening via a meeting with Koppert Cress .
Quantified is a spinoff of the Delft University of Technology . From what is now an power with a laboratory in Leiden , the Netherlands , a social club of technician works on a complete sensor package . require what can already be measured , the lean kick the bucket on — temperature , RH , light , flow of air , drainpipe , weight , EC , and wet . Quantified is also looking at developing optical sensors .
Dog boneWith its sensors , the sensor companionship is point Department of Agriculture and horticulture , including vertical and indoor farms , as well as smart metropolis , include sensors that quantify grime moisture in park . The sensing element serve municipalities water public green spaces expeditiously .
Quantified ’s flagship product is the FireFly , a sensor that looks like a dog-iron os . For all other detector , this ' transmitter module ' is the ground . This make Quantified ’s concept modular and easy to scale up .
Inside the FireFly is a battery . According to Warner Venstra , one of the founder , the sensor company stand up out with a long battery life of about one year at a measurement interval of five minutes . In addition , the full range of detector also stands out for the still relatively young company , which has been in business for about three year . They operated under the radar until the death of 2022 . Until then , products were extensively tested with customers for truth , lustiness , and battery life .
Pyrophorus noctiluca app at Koppert Cress
Simply by mailAnother strike scene of Quantified ’s conception is that the sensing element are simply air by chain armour . " We design our products for plug&play role by growers around the world , " says Warner . Quantified has entered the Dutch market . Koppert Cress , through whom the company entered gardening , became its first customer . " But really , we gestate to make a lot of increment with our sensors in burrow greenhouses . The vast majority of greenhouse in the earthly concern are comparatively gimcrack plastic burrow . you may make downcast - tech greenhouses like this mid - technical school with our sensors . "
For Koppert Cress , a custom - made sensor was made that measures a lot of parameters at one tray of cress . The sensor measures the weight of the tray and , therefore , irrigation , enable optimization of watering . The sensor also measures temperature , RH , barometric pressure , PAR illumination , and has a GPS sensor . " We spot ourselves with a very sodding and low-cost sensor , " he says .
Deliberately ' humbled priced’Striking is that sensing element are available for just over 150 euro each . Warner explains that Quantified envisions agriculturalist using many more sensors in addition to the measuring box they now often have hanging in the greenhouse .
" In the last 20 year , the average greenhouse area has triple . Local differences in climate , which are linked to the position of the sun or wind guidance , for instance , are increasing as a result . A single measurement box gives no information about uniformity . We make the variations seeable by measuring in several places and among the crops . From a number of measuring points , you may graphically exhibit the mood data point very nicely , like a kind of color home , showing uniformity in place and time at a glimpse . Volume is also the magic word for us . By bring on prominent quantities , the price can be reduced . "
presently , Quantified is still in the main supplying sensing element to early adopters , says Warner . " But we expect the measurement method acting to become mainstream - specially if the grower will shortly be able to flip on or off wirelessly in the nursery via our FireFly devices - engineering we will presently start offer . "
He mentions project at Bejo Zaden and Agro Care in North Africa , among others . " Thanks to expectant numbers game , we can turn with low margin . We also desire to offer the product against a low price because this allows us to think that the grower can actually form with more detector . " Ideally , a grower will presently install 10 to 40 sensors per hectare .
Data platformNow , a cultivator often go with a measurement box that is controlled . " These sensor are often wire , but in some case , repose a cable is not hard-nosed . Wireless sensors are well-situated to install or move . By measuring the crop across the greenhouse , you could unveil local differences in the microclimate . The grower can then start out steering based on that data . By grab the sensor with the measure data where the most mood gains can be made and steering them accordingly , you’re able to bug out growing more effectively . Now , due to the deficiency of sensor and habit of only a measurement corner , there is still a considerable safety perimeter . "
Photo mighty : Bart van Meurs of Koppert Cress / Divison Q take livery of the first custom - made ' CressWatch ' sensors from Quantified Sensor Technology eight calendar month ago . A web of twelve of wireless CressWatch nodes will render the datum that will be used to optimise local climate and watering in cress crops .
Quantified provides a political program to collect datum and make it insightful for growers , but link up with other platforms is preferred . " We are currently in discussions with a issue of platforms on this , " he says . Integration of sensor data into LetsGrow.com is already potential . Koppert Cress is doing the same on another political platform the cress grower already expend : Blockbax .
FireFly at Agro Care
Defect ? Modern sensorBefore Quantified really go away to market , extensive testing was have a bun in the oven out on whether the sensors would uphold to sour for long period of time in the greenhouse environment , which is fast-growing for electronics . Important because the company designedly chooses not to visit growers much . " If there is a problem , we are normally able to figure out it over the phone or via the cyberspace , " it tell . We usually do n’t see errors in the sensing element hardware , but sometimes a sensor disappear in a mower , for example . In such a case , we send a new one . "
allot to Warner , the grocery launch during Covid helped this mode of working . " It became more normal to work remotely . Moreover , in part because of plant virus , agriculturist no longer require so many people to come over . We essay to maintain the work method from Covid times . "
Meanwhile , the technicians are work on new sensors . " Of naturally , we continue to work on the continuous improvement of the sensors that are widely applicable , but we also prepare sensing element ' customized ' for research undertaking or other special requests of a customer . These can be connected to our wireless platform as required . We are especially concerned in sensor that need new engineering to be invented : we are constantly look for ways to push technological boundaries . "
app in growing potted flora
For more entropy : Quantified Sensor TechnologyLangegracht 70 - PLNT2312 NV Leiden[email protected]www.quantified.eu
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