We returned to Frutas Classe this week to monitor the system’s performance and make necessary adjustments. Several issues came up that reinforced the importance of testing in real conditions:- We had to calibrate the humidity sensors and fine-tune the nutrient alert system to avoid false readings.- We discovered the water pump had stopped working, leaving the plants unwatered for two days. This highlighted how essential it is to account for hardware reliability and fail-safes in the field.
These observations reminded us that developing a prototype in a controlled environment is one thing—making it work reliably in the real world is another. Field testing plays a crucial role in shaping a solution that’s not only functional, but also robust enough for practical use.
On a positive note, we began preparing the presentation materials for ElectroDay, including vases, hoses, and other components needed to showcase a fully working demo. We also adapted our code to run in shorter cycles and on a smaller scale, making it suitable for live demonstrations without compromising core functionality.