Week Nine (Mar 5 - Mar 10)

During this week, we started to work on putting parts together. We first tested and calibrated the capacitive soil sensor and realized that it works as we like it to work. The outputs of it are constant,and it is not very sensitive.

We have also worked on the programming of the Ultrasonic Sensor and the Laser Sensor Module so we could incorporate it into the Main code.

Ultrasonic Sensor

We have decided to use the Ultrasonic Sensor to detect the trays once they are watered at the bottom. In other words, the trays will be returning to their original position and this sensor will take care of locating them in the right spot. Below you can find a video on how the ultrasonic sensor works.

Laser Sensor Module

The laser detector will take care of stopping the system at the bottom of the framework so that the trays can be watered in the right spot. Thus, when Tray 1 needs water, the laser beam needs to be broken once, and when Tray 2 needs water, the laser bean needs to be broken twice.

Below you can find a picture of the laser detector.