Smarty Plants

SMARTY PLANTS
Christine McGahhey
Phys. Computing Project
December 8th, 2016
The Plant That Talks Back

OVERVIEW
Arduino Project
Fall/Winter 2016
Process
1. Ideation
2. Planning
3. Initial Prototypes
4. First Fabrication
5. Final Prototype
6. Next Steps

IDEATION
Combine Technology and Gardening
● Current smart planters do all the work and
sever the connection between the owner and
the plant
● Technology is a useful tool that people can
use to better communicate
● Merging modern technology with an age old
pastime
Encourage People to Own Plants
● Plants reduce depression and
allergies and help keep their owners
healthy
● Many people are afraid of keeping
plants because of fear of killing the
plant
● How-To guides are often not much
help for beginners

Nov. Week 1-2 Nov. Week 3-4 Dec. Week 1 Dec. Week 2 Dec. Week 3
PLANNING
Order Parts and find tutorials
Test Moisture Sensor
Connect LCD to Pot
Fabrication
Exhibition/Finalize

1 - Testing the Sensor and Screen
The very first prototype was a test to make sure the
moisture sensor gave readings and that those reading could
be displayed on an LCD screen and in the Serial Monitor.
The first readings were simple converted into percentages
and I analyzed this data to find the numbers for the ideal
amount of water to later convert into specific messages.
Parts/Materials:
Grove Moisture Sensor, Arduino, Breadboard, LCD Screen,
Wires, Potentiometer, Bowls with Soil, Water

2 - Creating Phrases and First Box
The second prototype converted the readings into different
phrases for the screen to display, based on moisture levels. I
added 5 unique phrases based on water levels; Drowning,
too wet, perfect levels, getting dry, too dry. All of the
phrases are sarcastic and can be customized as well.
Next, I made the first box out of poster board to cover the
Arduino unit and placed the pot on top.
Parts/Materials:
Grove Moisture Sensor, Arduino, Breadboard, LCD Screen,
Wires, Potentiometer, Plastic pot, Soil, Posterboard

Initial Prototype
Findings
1. Reduce features that were
originally planned (buzzer,
LEDs) and focus on interaction
2. Create a clean looking box to
store the pot and Arduino
3. Place the sensor at the bottom
to hide the sensor and hide
more precise readings

First Box
The first box had an exposed top so the main issue was
being able to see the wires when looking at the top, since
there was no lid to cover it.
The chord also stood out because of the jarring red color,
and the box had no other decorations to make it stand out.
It was also a bit bulky and could be slimmed down more to
make it easier to place on a shelf or windowsill.
Finally, since people are looking down when they water a
plant, it seemed better to place the screen at the top rather
than the side.

First Fabrication
Findings
1. Add a lid to the top to cover all
signs of wires
2. Change the chord color to
black or white
3. Place the screen at the top of
the device
4. Add more decoration to make
the box unique
5. Place the Arduino on the side
to protect from water damage

Code
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
// include the LCD library
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 7, 6, 5, 4);
// Set pins as 12,11,7,6,5,4. It might be different for your LCD, check the producer
catalog
//sensor code
int potPin = A0; //input pin
int soil = 0;
void setup() {
// lcd rows and columns
lcd.begin(16, 2);
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
//sensor in serial monitor
int sensorValue = analogRead(A0); Serial.println(sensorValue);
delay(100);
// map the values
int soil = analogRead(potPin) ;
//bone dry message
if (soil >= 950 && soil <= 1023)
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("I'm so thirsty!");
lcd.print("X__X");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
delay(2000);
lcd.print("Water me or I'll");
lcd.print("die & haunt you");
delay(2500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("as a plant ghost");
lcd.print("X__X");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
}
//damp soil message
else if (soil >= 700 && soil <= 949)
{
lcd.print("I'm drying out!");
lcd.print(">__>");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
delay(2000);
lcd.print("Do me a favor &");
lcd.print("actually care");
delay(2500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("about my health");
lcd.print("<__<");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
}
//watered well message
else if (soil >= 350 && soil <= 699)
{
lcd.print("I'm feeling good");
lcd.print("^__^");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
delay(2000);
lcd.print("What a surprise");
lcd.print("you did your job");
delay(2500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("for once");
lcd.print("^__^");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
}
//too wet messsage
else if (soil >= 270 && soil <= 349)
{
lcd.print("I'm too soaked");
lcd.print("-__-");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
delay(2000);
lcd.print("Next time you");
lcd.print("water me try to");
delay(2500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("pay attention");
lcd.print("-__-");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
}
//too much water message
else if (soil >= 0 && soil <= 269)
{
lcd.print("I'M DROWNING!!");
lcd.print("O__O");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
delay(2000);
lcd.print("HELP! HELP!");
lcd.print("My owner is a");
delay(2500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("complete moron");
lcd.print(">__<");
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
}
}

NEXT STEPS
Customizability
Allow the users to customize the messages themselves
LED Matrix Panel
To display the character sprite of the user’s plant with emotions
Sound Feedback
Add sounds to certain emotions so that the user knows when it’s
talking to them while they’re in another room
Photocell
Add a light sensor so that the pot can also read the light levels

Smarty Plants

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