plants & machines

---

early alpha

This is the code of the first robotic aquaponic ecosystem we build. Consider it a proof of concept.

An aquaponic system is esentially the combination of a regular hydroculture with an aquaculture. The closed loop water-cycle is used for ammonium and ammonia dissolvement and transportation. Colonies of micro-organisms convert ammonium and ammonia to nitrate. Plants use up the nitrate and thus rid the water of all substances being toxic for aquatic animals. There is no need for external nutrient supplication.

Through the use of technology we are able to modify environmental conditions inside this artificial ecosystem to become the perfect spa for plants and aquatic animals. The goal is to have a sensing robot that by the help of machinelearning is able to optimize the cultivation of food in regard to energy consumption, yield and taste.

---

tldr: [sensors] + [actors] -> [arduino] -usb-serial-JSON-> [raspberryPi] -node.js-> (mongodb) && (webinterface)

• avr timer interrupts, keep track of time
• build JSON on avr
• parse string from serialport in node.js
• store stuff in mongodb
• node.js dead simple http server

---

how to run

node.js

• install mongodb, node.js and npm on your machine
• inside the node folder

~$ npm install

• depending on your system:

~$ sudo node server.js
~$ sudo nodejs server.js

avr / arduino

• install gvr-gcc, avr-libc and avrdude
• change lib dirs and avr chip in the makefile
• inside the arduino folder:

~$ make
~$ sudo make upload

webinterface

• nothing fancy here, sensordata will be displayed as pure text
• open localhost in a webbrowser

---

misc

• GPLv2

• See the wiki for a more detailed documentation...

• we are not accountable for any damage you might do to your body or belongings with the help of water and/or 220V alternating current

---

This project originated from our local hackspace maschinenraum in late 2012. It then became my master thesis in architecture at the bauhaus university. During the time of research about urban food production systems Bastian and I build 3 prototypes.

This repository documents our very first, very basic food replication system. We are currently fixing documentation, cleaning up code and comments on the other prototypes and will release them as soon as we're done.

---

visit us on

• plantsandmachines.de
• facebook
• twitter

Chat with us:

• IRC

---