Wireless automation of frost protection irrigation

Important results from the project

Cultivation in cold climates entails great risks when it comes to cold as it is common with frosty nights during early summer. A frosty night can ruin precious crop and the entire season´s harvest can be ruined. Every year, crops worth billions risk freezing if frost occurs when the plants are most sensitive. The project aims to develop a prototype for wireless automation of antifreeze irrigation, test and develop the prototype during the season and then validate that the finished product works for the users.

Expected long term effects

The result is a working first prototype for wireless automation of antifreeze irrigation that is tested and validated during the season. The project result is the basis for a competitive commercial product. The project has also created other benefits of systems, such as the ability to cool plants with water. The principle is the same as for frost but the opposite. This gives us a serious commercial advantage. Our sensor automation algorithm is the most advanced on the market.

Approach and implementation

The project was implemented in four work packages: cloud software and applications, development of hardware and embedded software, manuals and documentation as well as field installations and testing. The analysis we come to is that our project idea was very good but we underestimated the work effort.