With the Internet of Things (IoT) set to reach value of $7.1 trillion by 2020, according to analyst firm IDC’s latest figures, it may come as no surprise that manufacturers are branching out to gardens.
Edyn, an IoT startup based in California, launched a Kickstarter campaign this week to raise $100,000 for a smart soil analysis and watering system.
Previously known as Soil IQ, the system measures environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, light and soil in real-time to help gardeners unstand the conditions of their soil.
Data is then cross-referenced with plants, soil science and weather databases to recommend which particular plants, fruits or vegetables will blossom in the given soil.
What sets this system apart from other garden sensors is the Wi-Fi connectivity, which the company claims makes it easier to use.
There’s also an accompanying smart water valve, which links to your sprinkler or a drip-hose system, allowing Edyn to turn water on or off automatically.
Both the sensor and valve are solar-powered, meaning they can take environmental readings constantly, which could lead to better analytics and a healthier garden.
Of course, Edyn certainly isn’t the only company doing interesting things in this field this week.
Another company called Parrot recently launched the Flower Power, which performs similar tasks to the Edyn. Rachio also unveiled a smart sprinkler system and Oslo Technologies released PlatLink, which tracks moisture to help gardeners better take care of their plants.
