UNS — The students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta never lacking in terms of innovative ideas. The most current innovation created by the students is an automatic sprinklers and humidity controller for a screenhouse, which is also integrated into the Internet of Things (IoT). This incredible innovation was initiated by Stefanus Marcellindo, Dina Mifika Sari, and Muhammad Hammam Al-Choirie from Electronic Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering (FT) UNS, as well as Savira Kharisma Putri from Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture (FP) UNS.
The four students were supervised by Feri Adriyanto, Ph.D., for preparing their Student Creativity Program (PKM) organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek) RI in 2021. The automatic sprinklers and humidity controller was designed to solve abrupt change of weather, that can interfere with vegetables and fruits cultivation.
“Therefore, it is common to find processed food products such as nuggets, noodles, chips, and cakes that are made from vegetables and fruits, as an effort for food product diversification. This condition also encourages the market to meet communities’ demand for fruits and vegetables. However, sudden change in weather has a significant impact on vegetables and fruits cultivation,” said Stefanus Marcellindo, Monday (20/9/2021).
Stefanus explains that the innovation proposed by his team can assist automatic watering and microclimate regulation. Moreover, the tool can display accurate data on plants growing criteria using an IoT system connected to a device. “Hence, farmers’ jobs can be carried out more efficiently with better crop yields,” said Stefanus Marcellindo.
There are several requirements to implement the IoT-integrated automatic sprinklers and humidity controller in a screenhouse. First, the screenhouse must be designed with a 1,000 m2 size with a total capacity of 1,620 plants.
“The current system can detect plant growing criteria using sensors installed in the screenhouse,” Stefanus.
The data collected through the installed sensors are analyzed using machine learning techniques to determine the data qualification. Further, the result will determine the watering duration and condensation period to maintain the water needs and microclimate. “This device can also display data on growing criteria and plant conditions in real-time via a smartphone with an IoT system. Thus, helping the farmer in monitoring plants’ condition,” Stefanus Marcellindo added.
For their innovative creation, the team is succeeded in garnering funding totaled 9.8 million rupiah through their participation in the PKM Kemendibudristek 2021. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti