EPS@ISEP | The European Project Semester (EPS) at ISEP

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report [2018/06/26 17:48] – [7.8 Prototype Assembly] team1report [2018/06/27 15:48] (current) – [5.5 Life Cycle Analysis] team1
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 |LVD |Low Voltage Directive| |LVD |Low Voltage Directive|
 |N/A |Not applicable| |N/A |Not applicable|
-|NDA |No data available|+|ND |No data |
 |OS |Operating System | |OS |Operating System |
 |PAR |Parabolic Aluminized Reflector| |PAR |Parabolic Aluminized Reflector|
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 The goal is to create a Vertical farming module that will reduce the space of traditional farming and it will make it easier for the average people to incorporate farming into their daily lives.  The goal is to create a Vertical farming module that will reduce the space of traditional farming and it will make it easier for the average people to incorporate farming into their daily lives. 
  
-We will achieve the goal by making a modular product which will contain several crops inside. It will be aeroponics so that we will eliminate the need of using soil and we will grow the crops using water and fertilizers alone. Additionally, we will create an automated system using electronics so that we will simulate the climate that will be able to grow the specific crop. +We will achieve the goal by making a modular product which will contain several crops inside. It will be aeroponics so that we will eliminate the need for using soil and we will grow the crops using water and fertilizers alone. Additionally, we will create an automated system using electronics so that we will simulate the climate that will be able to grow the specific crop. 
  
 Finally, all of the automation will be controlled by an android application so that the user that owns the product will be able to select and monitor which plant is being grown into the specific module.  Finally, all of the automation will be controlled by an android application so that the user that owns the product will be able to select and monitor which plant is being grown into the specific module. 
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   * integrated structures   * integrated structures
  
-Today, most vertical farming products and projects evolve into indoor vertical farming. By moving the process indoors, all the environmental aspects such as humidity, light, water supply, etc. can be controlled with fine-grain precision in this way or another. It can be done using artificial light to mimic sunlight, customized water piping system suited for watering the plants, and usually employs electronic hardware and dedicated software to observe and control the water supply, humidity, temperature, etc.+Today, most vertical farming products and projects evolve into indoor vertical farming. By moving the process indoors, all the environmental aspects such as humidity, light, water supply, etc., can be controlled with fine-grain precision in one way or another. It can be done using artificial light to mimic sunlight, customized water piping system suited for watering the plants, and usually employs electronic hardware and dedicated software to observe and control the water supply, humidity, temperature, etc.
  
 With the highly controllable environment comes high efficiency in resource management. Crops harvested through the means of vertical farming can use numerous times less water and energy than their conventional "industrially" farmed counterparts. With the highly controllable environment comes high efficiency in resource management. Crops harvested through the means of vertical farming can use numerous times less water and energy than their conventional "industrially" farmed counterparts.
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 Extensive research which would cover all the aforementioned spectrum of cases and applications would be overly time-consuming. The team decided therefore in advance to focus on just a single branch of these devices' development. Once a whole array of factors - limited budget, set of skills at hand, room for creative freedom, target group, personal preferences of the team members, and others - have been discussed, the team SAMARA decided to put its efforts into a project able to cover needs of a single family or a small, well defined community - like a class of students, start-up company or neighbours sharing the same staircase.  Extensive research which would cover all the aforementioned spectrum of cases and applications would be overly time-consuming. The team decided therefore in advance to focus on just a single branch of these devices' development. Once a whole array of factors - limited budget, set of skills at hand, room for creative freedom, target group, personal preferences of the team members, and others - have been discussed, the team SAMARA decided to put its efforts into a project able to cover needs of a single family or a small, well defined community - like a class of students, start-up company or neighbours sharing the same staircase. 
  
-Among arguments in favor of this approach were given: +Among arguments in favour of this approach were given: 
   * Small scale more suitable for limited budget of ours   * Small scale more suitable for limited budget of ours
   * Use case giving huge odds for the device to be placed indoors, in a steady and safe environment   * Use case giving huge odds for the device to be placed indoors, in a steady and safe environment
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 With an overview of the current market situation we have noticed a major niche looming in the field of small-scale self-sustainable indoor farms - namely, none of the highly automated solutions comes as a scalable, expandable system.  With an overview of the current market situation we have noticed a major niche looming in the field of small-scale self-sustainable indoor farms - namely, none of the highly automated solutions comes as a scalable, expandable system. 
  
-Minigarden Vertical's modularity described in Section [[report#minigarden_vertical|2.3.1]], one that helps it adapt to various spaces and applications, comes at a price of low independence. For the plants to thrive the system has to have access to direct sunlight - or be placed in an otherwise illuminated area. Without any subsidiary investments, the watering process would call for approaching every single plant with a watering can. Even with an irrigation set installed the plants won't be supplied with water without human interaction, unless one comes up with a DIY extension connecting Minigarden to the mains. To some potential buyers, the amount of labor this system is calling for may simply be repelling.+Minigarden Vertical's modularity described in Section [[report#minigarden_vertical|2.3.1]], one that helps it adapt to various spaces and applications, comes at a price of low independence. For the plants to thrive the system has to have access to direct sunlight - or be placed in an otherwise illuminated area. Without any subsidiary investments, the watering process would call for approaching every single plant with a watering can. Even with an irrigation set installed the plants won't be supplied with water without human interaction, unless one comes up with a DIY extension connecting Minigarden to the mains. To some potential buyers, the amount of labour this system is calling for may simply be repelling.
  
 On the other hand, highly automated solutions like Click & Grow's Smart Garden from Section [[report#smart_garden_3_/_smart_garden_9|2.3.2.1]] or ZipGrow's FarmWall from Section [[report#zipgrow_farmwall|2.3.3]] are offered at a relatively high selling point - what might be understandable having that they are almost "self-aware" smart devices - but at the very moment of purchase bound the customer with their limited capacity.  If a person buys themselves a Smart Garden 3 unit in order to try out the idea of self-grown herbs and gets involved in it, there is no simple solution to increase the "farming area" available. A problem arises - whether to buy another small device and use both or upgrade to a bigger model, but try to place the predecessor on a second-hand market? Another answer would obviously be over-investing into a higher capacity-to-price-ratio device in the first place - but then again, not many will be willing to allocate their resources in an experimental purchase.  On the other hand, highly automated solutions like Click & Grow's Smart Garden from Section [[report#smart_garden_3_/_smart_garden_9|2.3.2.1]] or ZipGrow's FarmWall from Section [[report#zipgrow_farmwall|2.3.3]] are offered at a relatively high selling point - what might be understandable having that they are almost "self-aware" smart devices - but at the very moment of purchase bound the customer with their limited capacity.  If a person buys themselves a Smart Garden 3 unit in order to try out the idea of self-grown herbs and gets involved in it, there is no simple solution to increase the "farming area" available. A problem arises - whether to buy another small device and use both or upgrade to a bigger model, but try to place the predecessor on a second-hand market? Another answer would obviously be over-investing into a higher capacity-to-price-ratio device in the first place - but then again, not many will be willing to allocate their resources in an experimental purchase. 
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 **Aeroponics** is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate. [(clarkin)]                                                                                                                                                  **Aeroponics** is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate. [(clarkin)]                                                                                                                                                 
-Seems like a way to go for future, its most water efficient, the fastest growth rate for the plant. [(aeroDIY)] Suitable for a big variety of different plants. For example, misting for Romaine salad lasts for 6 seconds every 4 minutes. For us, it seemed like the most perspective way to go ever since week 2, yet for weeks to follow we had struggled to put together a budget proposal that would include all the components necessary - and so as a team we have fallen back to the hydroponic technology. Iteration after iteration, our budget plan became more and more sustainable, up to the point at which the aeroponic solution became possible again and is going going to be implemented in our prototype device. +Seems like a way to go for future, its most water efficient, the fastest growth rate for the plant. [(aeroDIY)] Suitable for a big variety of different plants. For example, misting for Romaine salad lasts for 6 seconds every 4 minutes. For us, it seemed like the most perspective way to go ever since week 2, yet for weeks to follow we had struggled to put together a budget proposal that would include all the components necessary - and so as a team we have fallen back to the hydroponic technology. Iteration after iteration, our budget plan became more and more sustainable, up to the point at which the aeroponic solution became possible again and is going to be implemented in our prototype device. 
  
 === - Low Pressure Aeroponics vs. High Pressure Aeroponics === === - Low Pressure Aeroponics vs. High Pressure Aeroponics ===
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 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
  
-Our team created a graph about the scope of the project. This is because we do not want to mix the responsibilities and we would like to have a good overview of what we need to do in our project and we can schedule the time much easier. The scope of our project looks like this: +Our team created a graph about the scope of the project. This is because we do not want to mix the responsibilities and we would like to have a good overview of what we need to do in our project and we can schedule the time much easier. The scope of our project is written down visually in **Figure {{ref>scope}}** and in plain text below. 
-<WRAP half column>+ 
 +<figure scope> 
 +{{verticalScope.jpg?1024}} 
 +<caption>Scope of the project</caption> 
 +</figure> 
   * Initial Phase   * Initial Phase
     * Research     * Research
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     * Get Certificate     * Get Certificate
     * Prepare food :-)           * Prepare food :-)      
-</WRAP> +
-<WRAP half column> +
-<figure scope> +
-{{verticalScope.jpg?512}} +
-<caption>Scope of the project</caption> +
-</figure> +
-</WRAP>+
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 ==== - Time ==== ==== - Time ====
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 ^Item list ^Quantity ^Info ^Price per piece ^Total price ^ Supplier ^ ^Item list ^Quantity ^Info ^Price per piece ^Total price ^ Supplier ^
 ^Mechanical Components^^^^^^ ^Mechanical Components^^^^^^
-|Chassis |4 |MDF pieces, uncut |€2.69 |€10.76 |Leroy Merlin | +|Chassis |4 |MDF pieces, uncut |2.69 € |10.76 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water distribution - T-joint |1 |d 16 |€1.99 |€1.99 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water distribution - T-joint |1 |d 16 |1.99 € |1.99 €|Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water distribution - Hose |1 |d 8 / d 11, roll of 5 m |€5.99 |€5.99 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water distribution - Hose |1 |d 8 / d 11, roll of 5 m |5.99 € |5.99 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Plant chalice |2 |d 90 to d 40 reduction |€1.49 |€2.98|Leroy Merlin | +|Plant chalice |2 |d 90 to d 40 reduction |1.49 € |2.98 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - bend |1 |d 40, 45' angle |€0.49 |€0.49 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - bend |1 |d 40, 45' angle |0.49 € |0.49 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - fork |1 |d 40, 45' angle |€1.19 |€1.19 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - fork |1 |d 40, 45' angle |1.19 € |1.19 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - tube |1 |d 40, 1 m |€1.69 |€1.69 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - tube |1 |d 40, 1 m |1.69 € |1.69 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - insulation|1 |Kitchen & Bathroom use silicone |€1.99 |€1.99 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - insulation|1 |Kitchen & Bathroom use silicone |1.99 € |1.99 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water diffusers |1 |180' spread, come in packs of 10 |€2.99 |€2.99 |Leroy Merlin |+|Water diffusers |1 |180' spread, come in packs of 10 |2.99 € |2.99 € |Leroy Merlin |
 ^Electronic Components ^^^^^^ ^Electronic Components ^^^^^^
-|Wireless Microcontroller |1 |ESP8266 based board |€9.90 |€9.90 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Wireless Microcontroller |1 |ESP8266 based board |9.90 € |9.90 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|LED element - for plants |2 |N/A |€3.60 |€7.20 |Bot'n'Roll | +|LED element - for plants |2 |N/A |3.60 € |7.20 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|LED element - feedback |2 |CC RGB diode |€1.10 |€2.20 |Bot'n'Roll | +|LED element - feedback |2 |CC RGB diode |1.10 € |2.20 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|LED holder |1 |N/A |€0.15 |€0.15 |Bot'n'Roll | +|LED holder |1 |N/A |0.15 € |0.15 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Voltage Regulator |1 |12V to 9V |€4.90 |€4.90 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Voltage Regulator |1 |12 V to 9 V |4.90 € |4.90 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Water pump |1 |d 8.2mm |€11.65 |€11.65 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Water pump |1 |d 8.2 mm |11.65 € |11.65 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Protoboard |2 |22x26 holes |€1.50 |€3.00 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Protoboard |2 |22x26 holes |1.50 € |3.00 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Water level sensor |1 |N/A |€2.20 |€2.20 |ElectroFun | +|Water level sensor |1 |N/A |2.20 € |2.20 € |ElectroFun | 
-|Luminescence sensor |1 |N/A |€6.50 |€6.50 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Luminescence sensor |1 |N/A |6.50 € |6.50 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Pin Headers |1 |Come in packs of 40 |€0.60 |€0.60 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Pin Headers |1 |Come in packs of 40 |0.60 € |0.60 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|M-M jumpers |1 |Come in packs of 10 |€2.00 |€2.00 |Bot'n'Roll | +|M-M jumpers |1 |Come in packs of 10 |2.00 € |2.00 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|M-F jumpers |1 |Come in packs of 10 |€2.00 |€2.00 |Bot'n'Roll | +|M-F jumpers |1 |Come in packs of 10 |2.00 € |2.00 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|F-F jumpers |1 |Come in packs of 10 |€2.00 |€2.00 |Bot'n'Roll | +|F-F jumpers |1 |Come in packs of 10 |2.00 € |2.00 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Transistor - bipolar NPN |4 |2N2222 - Beta ~ 70 |€0.15 |€0.60 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Transistor - bipolar NPN |4 |2N2222 - Beta ~ 70 |0.15 € |0.60 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Transistor - bipolar NPN |2 |TIP120  - Beta ~ 1000 |€0.49 |€0.98|ElectroFun | +|Transistor - bipolar NPN |2 |TIP120  - Beta ~ 1000 |0.49 € |0.98 € |ElectroFun | 
-|Resistor - high valued |5 |2.2 kΩ |€0.05 |€0.25 |ElectroFun | +|Resistor - high valued |5 |2.2 kΩ |0.05 € |0.25 € |ElectroFun | 
-|Resistor - low valued |5 |1 kΩ |€0.05 |€0.25 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Resistor - low valued |5 |1 kΩ |0.05 € |0.25 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Capacitor - high valued |4 |1 uF |€0.10 |€0.40 |ElectroFun | +|Capacitor - high valued |4 |1 uF |0.10 € |0.40 € |ElectroFun | 
-|Capacitor - low valued |4 |100 nF |€0.10 |€0.40 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Capacitor - low valued |4 |100 nF |0.10 € |0.40 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Diodes |2 |1N4001 rectifying diode |€0.10 |€0.20 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Diodes |2 |1N4001 rectifying diode |0.10 € |0.20 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Cable |1 |Rigid core, sold in 25m roll |€2.90 |€2.90 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Cable |1 |Rigid core, sold in 25 m roll |2.90 € |2.90 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Power source |1 |1A unit |€6.00 |€6.00 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Power source |1 |1 A unit |6.00 € |6.00 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Power source adapter |1 |With grip terminals |€1.00 |€1.00 |Bot'n'Roll | +|Power source adapter |1 |With grip terminals |1.00 € |1.00 € |Bot'n'Roll | 
-|Project box for electronics |1 |85x85x39 mm with 12 outputs |€2.75 |€2.75 |ElectroFun |+|Project box for electronics |1 |85x85x39 mm with 12 outputs |2.75 € |2.75 € |ElectroFun |
 ^Shipping costs^^^^^^ ^Shipping costs^^^^^^
-| Bot'n'Roll | - | - |Free delivery over 50.00€ | 0 € | - |+| Bot'n'Roll | - | - |Free delivery over 50.00 € | 0 € | - |
 | Leroy Merlin | - | - |Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - | | Leroy Merlin | - | - |Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - |
 | Electrofun | - | - |Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - | | Electrofun | - | - |Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - |
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 | Ethical Research        | Anastasia           | Anastasia |   | Ethical Research        | Anastasia           | Anastasia |  
 | Sustainability Research | Anastasia | Anastasia |    | Sustainability Research | Anastasia | Anastasia |   
-| **Task identification & Problem Definition**         | ** Mile and Audrey ** | **Andres, Audrey , Mile, Rodrigo and Szymon**|+| **Task identification & Problem Definition**         | ** Mile and Audrey ** | **Andres, Audrey, Mile, Rodrigo and Szymon**|
 | Roles and Division         | Mile and Szymon       | Anastasia, Andres, Audrey, Mile, Rodrigo and Szymon | | Roles and Division         | Mile and Szymon       | Anastasia, Andres, Audrey, Mile, Rodrigo and Szymon |
 | Gantt         | Mile       | Audrey and Mile | | Gantt         | Mile       | Audrey and Mile |
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-Many people narrow-mindedly think that marketing means only “selling” or “advertising.” It is partially true but marketing is much more. It is a lot of activities that create a link between the brand and the consumer. The marketing approach of a successful company is to understand and fulfill consumer needs. Indeed, marketing is a wide management field in applications and content. The client needs are the heart of all of this approach.+Many people narrow-mindedly think that marketing means only “selling” or “advertising.” It is partially true but marketing is much more. It is a lot of activities that create a link between the brand and the consumer. The marketing approach of a successful company is to understand and fulfil consumer needs. Indeed, marketing is a wide management field in applications and content. The client needs are the heart of all of this approach.
  
    
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 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
  
-Before we start the market analysis, it will be necessary to determine the problem statement. This preliminary analysis will be used to understand what will be our work environment, the current market, and it will permit us to possition ourselves on it. This study is essential to know in order to face this possibles threats/opportunities with our own weakness/strength thanks to a strong strategy previously made, both during the project and in the future.+Before we start the market analysis, it will be necessary to determine the problem statement. This preliminary analysis will be used to understand what will be our work environment, the current market, and it will permit us to position ourselves on it. This study is essential to know in order to face this possibles threats/opportunities with our own weakness/strength thanks to a strong strategy previously made, both during the project and in the future.
  
 The whole market analysis can be cut in 3 parts (described in **Figure {{ref>macro}}**: The whole market analysis can be cut in 3 parts (described in **Figure {{ref>macro}}**:
   * The macro-environment   * The macro-environment
   * The meso-environment (not analyzed here)    * The meso-environment (not analyzed here) 
-  * The micro-environment (defined afterward).+  * The micro-environment (defined afterwards).
  
  
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 == - POLITICAL/LEGAL ASPECT == == - POLITICAL/LEGAL ASPECT ==
-Is how product interacts with the law in the target countries.+Is how the product interacts with the law in the target countries.
  
 __Opportunities:__ __Opportunities:__
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 **SUPPLIERS'** power is about all the materials we need but we cannot produce. In fact, having several suppliers can solve some problems but is not good enough because in some fields they are only a few suppliers. Currently, suppliers can have a deal between themselves, a collaboration agreement. If suppliers are organized, they are controlling the market and playing with the rivalry between them becomes impossible. Actually, our suppliers are electrical component manufacturers and raw material providers (wood, metals, etc.) - both have multiple representatives on the market, so their negotiating power is limited.  **SUPPLIERS'** power is about all the materials we need but we cannot produce. In fact, having several suppliers can solve some problems but is not good enough because in some fields they are only a few suppliers. Currently, suppliers can have a deal between themselves, a collaboration agreement. If suppliers are organized, they are controlling the market and playing with the rivalry between them becomes impossible. Actually, our suppliers are electrical component manufacturers and raw material providers (wood, metals, etc.) - both have multiple representatives on the market, so their negotiating power is limited. 
  
-**THREATS OF NEW ENTRANTS** in the vertical farming market is large because of the increasing demand. Indeed as we said before people are more and more concerned by biological food, sustainability, recyclability, no waste, environment, etc. and as people are more and more rural the vertical farming is the solution. The market is currently in a boom for only a few years that’s why it is possible to make a way for us yet. +**THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS** in the vertical farming market is significant because of the increasing demand. Indeed as we said before people are more and more concerned by biological food, sustainability, recyclability, no waste, environment, etc. and as people are more and more rural the vertical farming is the solution. The market is currently in a boom for only a few years that’s why it is possible to make a way for us yet. 
  
 **RIVALRY IN THE INDUSTRY** (ie. state of the art) of vertical farming **RIVALRY IN THE INDUSTRY** (ie. state of the art) of vertical farming
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 The goal must be easy, clear, exact and understandable easily by everyone. If it is not the case, we must decompose it in several shorters. The goal must be easy, clear, exact and understandable easily by everyone. If it is not the case, we must decompose it in several shorters.
 Our main objective is to be competitive in the vertical farming market. Not really specific objective, that is why we can decompose it (ie. project planning) Our main objective is to be competitive in the vertical farming market. Not really specific objective, that is why we can decompose it (ie. project planning)
-  * Analyses what is a vertical farm and the needs characteristics to fulfill them and build a real vertical farm. In our case water and light distribution and take less place as possible for as much as possible of plants.+  * Analyses what is a vertical farm and the needs characteristics to fulfil them and build a real vertical farm. In our case water and light distribution and take less place as possible for as much as possible of plants.
   * Analyse perfectly the rivalry on the actual market to be competitive on the market. What added value can we create ? in our case the smartphone application and the aeroponic system   * Analyse perfectly the rivalry on the actual market to be competitive on the market. What added value can we create ? in our case the smartphone application and the aeroponic system
   * Define our target customers. Rural and hurry people wanted a garden but without have the time to work in. Nature lovers, biological and health affected and connected users.   * Define our target customers. Rural and hurry people wanted a garden but without have the time to work in. Nature lovers, biological and health affected and connected users.
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 __North of Europe:__ Vereatable is created to answer to this country with sometimes a cold weather, without a lot of sun per years. With our product, their garden will be indoor and the light will be controlled by a captor and LED automatized if during the day plants did not have enough sun. __North of Europe:__ Vereatable is created to answer to this country with sometimes a cold weather, without a lot of sun per years. With our product, their garden will be indoor and the light will be controlled by a captor and LED automatized if during the day plants did not have enough sun.
  
-__South of Europe:__ In theses country plants needs a lot of water, thanks to our aeroponic system this quantity can be reduced. In this kind of country they are a lot of sun, maybe we will develop a Vereatable with the LED system.+__South of Europe:__ In theses country plants needs a lot of water, thanks to our aeroponic system this quantity can be reduced. In this kind of country they is a lot of sunlight, maybe we will develop a Vereatable with the LED system.
  
-Moreover, with Vereatable, no more need of soil and a lot of space neither, it will be very useful for big cities.+Moreover, with Vereatable, no more need for soil and a lot of space neither, it will be very useful for big cities.
 == - Demographics == == - Demographics ==
  
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 ==== - Positioning strategy of brand ==== ==== - Positioning strategy of brand ====
  
-A brand is defined by its identity (Vereatable), its market (vertical farming) and its public(target customers). All this aspect of a brand contributes to establishing the strategy to adopt. **Figure {{ref>positioning}}** show the brand triangle creat by these three main definitions. +A brand is defined by its identity (Vereatable), its market (vertical farming) and its public(target customers). All this aspect of a brand contributes to establishing the strategy to adopt. **Figure {{ref>positioning}}** shows the brand triangle created by these three main definitions. 
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
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 - VER(T) in french mean green - VER(T) in french mean green
  
-The bands on the top of "eatable" are for the modularity of our product, because you can gather several modules to have a really big vertical garden. And because of the connectivity with our smartphone application.+The bands on the top of "eatable" are for the modularity of our product, because you can gather several modules to have a really big vertical garden. And because of the connection with our smartphone application.
  
 Finally "indoor garden" because it will be your own little garden, where you can grow your fruits, vegetables, plants or flower, whatever you want, at home. A truly decorative inside garden. Finally "indoor garden" because it will be your own little garden, where you can grow your fruits, vegetables, plants or flower, whatever you want, at home. A truly decorative inside garden.
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 - __Vertical farming__: to allow urban people to have a real garden indoor. A vertical farm saves more place than a simple garden, moreover, you can put your vertical garden indoor so it is not sudden the weather. The most important is that the food you will grow with Vereatable will be biological without toxical products. No more excuses to eat healthily, not it will not be expensive and far neither because it will be at home just next to you. - __Vertical farming__: to allow urban people to have a real garden indoor. A vertical farm saves more place than a simple garden, moreover, you can put your vertical garden indoor so it is not sudden the weather. The most important is that the food you will grow with Vereatable will be biological without toxical products. No more excuses to eat healthily, not it will not be expensive and far neither because it will be at home just next to you.
  
-- __Autonomous system of distribution (water, light)__: As we know our customers' target are urban and hurry workers. That is why our product will be totally autonomous with some captor this system is possible. Your plants' needs will be fulfilled perfectly. Water needs thanks to an aeroponic system and light needs thanks to a LED. The only thing you will have to do is to come and harvest your food.+- __Autonomous system of distribution (water, light)__: As we know our target customers are urban and hurried workers. That is why our product will be totally autonomous with some captor this system is possible. Your plants' needs will be fulfilled perfectly. Water needs thanks to an aeroponic system and light needs thanks to a LED. The only thing you will have to do is to come and harvest your food.
  
 - __Few consumption of water and electricity power__: The word "garden" has something ecological inside. That is the reason why we wanted our product as much as possible respectful of the environment. Thanks to the aeroponic system your plants will not consume a lot of water, so less than a traditional farm. And thanks to the automatic light LED system, these LED will be turned on only when it is necessary for your plants, and as we know LEDs do not consume a lot of electricity. Moreover, the materials we chose for the outside "box" is really resistant (long-life term) and recyclable. - __Few consumption of water and electricity power__: The word "garden" has something ecological inside. That is the reason why we wanted our product as much as possible respectful of the environment. Thanks to the aeroponic system your plants will not consume a lot of water, so less than a traditional farm. And thanks to the automatic light LED system, these LED will be turned on only when it is necessary for your plants, and as we know LEDs do not consume a lot of electricity. Moreover, the materials we chose for the outside "box" is really resistant (long-life term) and recyclable.
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   * **Communication: **   * **Communication: **
-As we are a new brand the communication is really important. At the beginning make some '"sales" can be effective. Fulfill a customer book to send e-mails with advantages or newsletters. Vereatable is a real quality product so the word of mouth will participate in our promotion. With our smartphone application we want to touch the connected generations so launch advertising on social media as facebook, twitter, Pinterest and Instagram is a really big part of our communication because it is here we will touch our biggest part of possible clients. And finally the press-paper like a newspaper, magazines, flyer in the streets, and leafleter in shops. +As we are a new brand the communication is really important. At the beginning make some '"sales" can be effective. Fulfil a customer book to send e-mails with advantages or newsletters. Vereatable is a real quality product so the word of mouth will participate in our promotion. With our smartphone application we want to touch the connected generations so launch advertising on social media as facebook, twitter, Pinterest and Instagram is a really big part of our communication because it is here we will touch our biggest part of possible clients. And finally the press-paper like a newspaper, magazines, flyer in the streets, and leafleter in shops. 
  
   * **Cost to satisfy: **   * **Cost to satisfy: **
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 ==== - Budget ==== ==== - Budget ====
  
-To be competitive in a new market we must be present in the media to catch the attention of our possible customers, we must communicate with them. The advertising part is really important to make people know our brand and our product, to share our values.+To be competitive in a new market we must be present in the media to catch the attention of our possible customers, we must communicate with them. The advertising part is really important to make people know about our brand and our product, to share our values.
  
 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
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 ==== - Introduction ==== ==== - Introduction ====
  
-Current agricultural systems are not as effective or sustainable as they should or could be. Vertical agriculture is a promising solution to the disadvantages of traditional agriculture. Compared to traditional farming, vertical crops use 70 to 95 percent less water and over 90 percent less land and harvest 80 percent more per unit area. The Vertical Farming Association, a two-year, nonprofit organization focused on promoting the industry, says vertical farming allows people to produce crops throughout the year because all environmental factors are controlled. It produces healthier and higher yields faster than traditional agriculture and is resistant to climate change. In addition, as the world's population becomes more urbanized, vertical farms can help meet the growing demand for fresh local produce. [(VF)] [(ISO)]+Current agricultural systems are not as effective or sustainable as they should or could be. Vertical agriculture is a promising solution to the disadvantages of traditional agriculture. Compared to traditional farming, vertical crops use 70 to 95 per cent less water and over 90 per cent less land and harvest 80 per cent more per unit area. The Vertical Farming Association, a two-year, nonprofit organization focused on promoting the industry, says vertical farming allows people to produce crops throughout the year because all environmental factors are controlled. It produces healthier and higher yields faster than traditional agriculture and is resistant to climate change. In addition, as the world's population becomes more urbanized, vertical farms can help meet the growing demand for fresh local produce. [(VF)] [(ISO)]
  
 ==== - Environmental  ==== ==== - Environmental  ====
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 **Materials** **Materials**
  
-The team wanted to use, for the main structure, wood and recyclable plastic. Both materials would be produced and purchased in Portugal, in order to reduce the way of transportation. Wood and recyclable plastic are renewable resources and therefore the first choice. +The team wanted to use, for the main structure, MDF panels and recyclable food-safe PVC. Both materials would be produced and purchased in Portugal, in order to reduce the way of transportation. MDF and PVC are recyclable resources and therefore our first choice. 
  
 **Manufacturing** **Manufacturing**
  
-During the manufacturing, the biggest part of the construction will be performed by machines, The electrical part will be assembled in the manufacture, as this would be to difficult and to time-consuming for most of the clients. The factory needed to be sustainable during the construction of the product. The waste in the factory needed to be as little as possible. This not only saved money, but allowed the production of the product to be as environmentally responsible as possible. When there were off cuts of plastic, these would be melted back down and used back in the mmanufacturingprocess. During the manufacturing Vareatable has to make sure that the least amount of product goes to waste. Every year a sustainability report would be completed, to see where the company had done well, and where it needed to improve. This sustainability report would provide a year on year progress report and the company would be able to see gradual improvements over time. +During the manufacturing, the biggest part of the construction will be performed by machines, The electrical part will be assembled in the manufacture, as this would be too difficult and too time-consuming for most of the clients. The factory needed to be sustainable during the construction of the product. The waste in the factory needed to be as little as possible. This not only saved money but allowed the production of the product to be as environmentally responsible as possible. When there were cutoffs of plastic, these would be melted back down and used back in the mmanufacturing process. During the manufacturing, Vareatable has to make sure that the least amount of product goes to waste. Every year a sustainability report would be completed, to see where the company had done well, and where it needed to improve. This sustainability report would provide a year on year progress report and the company would be able to see gradual improvements over time. 
  
 **Distribution** **Distribution**
  
-The Team used materials from local providers in Portugal. For packaging the product would be sent to the customers assembled, and with easy instructions  on how to connect multiple  compartments in case a costumer wants in increase the number of plants he wants to grow.+The Team used materials from local providers in Portugal. For packaging, the product would be sent to the customers assembled, and with easy instructions on how to connect multiple compartments in case a customer wants to increase the number of plants he wants to grow.
  
 **Use** **Use**
  
-The Vereatable, indoor garden is for home use. It can be used for the growth of plants, vegetables, herbs even flowers. It has an autonomous water and light system with components working with sensors, to save energy. The components turning on and off at different times depending on the plants needs. All the costumer has to do is to choose the of his choice though our mobiles application database and refill the water compartment when its needed. +The Vereatable, indoor garden is for home use. It can be used for the growth of plants, vegetables, herbs even flowers. It has an autonomous water and light system with components working with sensors, to save energy. The components turning on and off at different times depending on the plant's needs. All the customer has to do is to choose the of his choice through our mobiles application database and refill the water compartment when it's needed. 
  
 **End of Life** **End of Life**
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 Ethics and deontological concerns are an important pillar of any company's core. These principles play a big role in the way a company works but also in its public image. The Ethical and Deontological Concerns varies depending on the area, but all of them are based on an agreed common code. Ethics and deontological concerns are an important pillar of any company's core. These principles play a big role in the way a company works but also in its public image. The Ethical and Deontological Concerns varies depending on the area, but all of them are based on an agreed common code.
-Because of the variation of areas in our team we believe that the ethical behavior and deontological concern should be inherited in each field. [(ICC)] [(NSPE)]+Because of the variation of areas in our team we believe that the ethical behaviour and deontological concern should be inherited in each field. [(ICC)] [(NSPE)]
  
 ==== - Engineering Ethics ====  ==== - Engineering Ethics ==== 
  
-The profession of an engineer is particularly important, given that it is generally accepted that, as long as this profession is concerned, there is a work that has a direct and positive impact on the quality of life of all human beings. By analogy, the services offered by the engineers require honesty, objectivity, fairness, and impartiality and must be effective in the protection of public health, security and advertising. When practicing their profession, engineers must follow a professional attitude that has the highest ethical standards of behavior towards the public, customers, employers, and the profession of engineering itself.+The profession of an engineer is particularly important, given that it is generally accepted that, as long as this profession is concerned, there is a work that has a direct and positive impact on the quality of life of all human beings. By analogy, the services offered by the engineers require honesty, objectivity, fairness, and impartiality and must be effective in the protection of public health, security and advertising. When practising their profession, engineers must follow a professional attitude that has the highest ethical standards of behaviour towards the public, customers, employers, and the profession of engineering itself.
  
 Every country has its own organization which describes ethical guidelines for engineers. Every country has its own organization which describes ethical guidelines for engineers.
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 The principles of operation as depicted in the previous section, albeit very likely valid for a commercial scale development prototype of the device, proved not to be compatible with our limited budget - for instance, having multiple solenoids valves depletes our money allocation almost instantly, with them being sold for an average of 10 € a piece. Not so complex and possibly slightly less functional solution - in the industry sometimes referred to as Minimum Viable Product - had to be assumed as a proof of concept, one that possibly could convince a sponsor or the crowdfunding community that the general idea is valid and the project should be expanded further based on this initial iteration.  The principles of operation as depicted in the previous section, albeit very likely valid for a commercial scale development prototype of the device, proved not to be compatible with our limited budget - for instance, having multiple solenoids valves depletes our money allocation almost instantly, with them being sold for an average of 10 € a piece. Not so complex and possibly slightly less functional solution - in the industry sometimes referred to as Minimum Viable Product - had to be assumed as a proof of concept, one that possibly could convince a sponsor or the crowdfunding community that the general idea is valid and the project should be expanded further based on this initial iteration. 
  
-The electrical schematics for such an MVP prototype is given in **Figure {{ref>MVPele}}**, with a short legend of the color-code applied to hard-wired connections summarised in **Table {{ref>MVPcolour}}**. +The electrical schematics for such an MVP prototype is given in **Figure {{ref>MVPele}}**, with a short legend of the colour-code applied to hard-wired connections summarised in **Table {{ref>MVPcolour}}**. 
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
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 | Orange | 9 V | 9 V supply circuit for appropriate devices | | Orange | 9 V | 9 V supply circuit for appropriate devices |
 | Yellow | 3.3 V | 3.3 V supply circuit for appropriate devices | | Yellow | 3.3 V | 3.3 V supply circuit for appropriate devices |
-| Purple | Analogue | Communication buses operating with analog signals |+| Purple | Analogue | Communication buses operating with analogue signals |
 | Blue | PWM | Control buses operating with Pulse Width Modulation | | Blue | PWM | Control buses operating with Pulse Width Modulation |
 | Cyan | I2C | Serial Master-Slave communication buses | | Cyan | I2C | Serial Master-Slave communication buses |
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 For the prototype of the product to be actually developed, tested and presented in nature, a whole array of components had to be researched, compared, selected, and ordered. With the budget on these spendings being strictly limited, the team had to balance find the best possible balance between cost efficiency, quality of operation, and spectrum of functionalities offered by the prototype. The detailed thought process behind each decision made in this process will not be presented in this report, yet some key highlights may be listed: For the prototype of the product to be actually developed, tested and presented in nature, a whole array of components had to be researched, compared, selected, and ordered. With the budget on these spendings being strictly limited, the team had to balance find the best possible balance between cost efficiency, quality of operation, and spectrum of functionalities offered by the prototype. The detailed thought process behind each decision made in this process will not be presented in this report, yet some key highlights may be listed:
-  * **The microcontroller** serves as the computational brain and hearth of the device. While most of the available devices of this type cover the basic requirements for such an element in the Vereatable project - namely the ability to read sensor inputs and control the work of connected motors and lights - more distinctive features like out-of-the-box WiFi connectivity are harder to come across. Widely known, popular, and tested family of Arduino devices was the first to be scrutinized, yet no affordable device has been found, with the Arduino Uno WiFi model being priced at almost 42 €, more than a third of the team's appointed budget. While less expensive variants may be expanded with additional WiFi modules, a device from the ESP8266 family has been selected instead, coming in with higher computational power, included WiFi capabilities, all at a lower price yet with a drawback - Arduino being the dominant to-go solution, many tutorials, example implementations and software libraries available on the Internet are unlikely to cover and/or support the niche counterpart the team selected. +  * **The microcontroller** serves as the computational brain and heart of the device. While most of the available devices of this type cover the basic requirements for such an element in the Vereatable project - namely the ability to read sensor inputs and control the work of connected motors and lights - more distinctive features like out-of-the-box Wi-Fi connectivity are harder to come across. Widely known, popular, and tested family of Arduino devices was the first to be scrutinized, yet no affordable device has been found, with the Arduino Uno Wi-Fi model being priced at almost 42 €, more than a third of the team's appointed budget. While less expensive variants may be expanded with additional Wi-Fi modules, a device from the ESP8266 family has been selected instead, coming in with higher computational power, included Wi-Fi capabilities, all at a lower price yet with a drawback - Arduino being the dominant to-go solution, many tutorials, example implementations and software libraries available on the Internet are unlikely to cover and/or support the niche counterpart the team selected. 
   * **The water pump** necessary to provide regular hydration to the plants inhabiting the device has been chosen primarily based on the voltage required for powering it up. Unit operating at the "raw" network voltage of 230 V would require either a separate voltage source for the low-voltage powered components (e.g. the microcontroller working at no more than 10 V) or a relatively powerful transformer to be embedded to step-down the network supply. Luckily, the team was able to find a small pump model designed having a similar use case in mind - one powered by 12 V voltage.    * **The water pump** necessary to provide regular hydration to the plants inhabiting the device has been chosen primarily based on the voltage required for powering it up. Unit operating at the "raw" network voltage of 230 V would require either a separate voltage source for the low-voltage powered components (e.g. the microcontroller working at no more than 10 V) or a relatively powerful transformer to be embedded to step-down the network supply. Luckily, the team was able to find a small pump model designed having a similar use case in mind - one powered by 12 V voltage. 
   * **LED illuminators** in the form of the self-contained units were chosen over an LED strip solution as the latter are usually sold in packs of a couple of meters - way more than required for our application. Moreover, the LED bars selected include security measures such as current limiting resistors, decreasing the need for such parts and the overall complexity of the device.   * **LED illuminators** in the form of the self-contained units were chosen over an LED strip solution as the latter are usually sold in packs of a couple of meters - way more than required for our application. Moreover, the LED bars selected include security measures such as current limiting resistors, decreasing the need for such parts and the overall complexity of the device.
-  * **Water level sensor**. One of the cheapest, analog solution has been selected in order to decrease the share of electronic elements in the budget as a whole. While more precise, digital sensors were available, combining them being a few times more expensive than the analogue piece and the primary use case being detecting just the critical lack of water in the reservoir, the basic unit has been trusted to be sufficient. +  * **Water level sensor**. One of the cheapest, analogue solution has been selected in order to decrease the share of electronic elements in the budget as a whole. While more precise, digital sensors were available, combining them being a few times more expensive than the analogue piece and the primary use case being detecting just the critical lack of water in the reservoir, the basic unit has been trusted to be sufficient. 
   * **Luminosity sensor** of digital nature has been selected simply because the analogue water level sensor would have been occupying the only analogue input pin on the selected microcontroller. Moreover, precise readings of ambient light should prove more useful than water level control with the same precision.    * **Luminosity sensor** of digital nature has been selected simply because the analogue water level sensor would have been occupying the only analogue input pin on the selected microcontroller. Moreover, precise readings of ambient light should prove more useful than water level control with the same precision. 
   * **Structural components** have been selected only after the electronic components list has been finalised and optimised. The reason for that was simple - while some electronic parts simply prooved irreplaceable, more freedom and creativity could have been applied to the selection of structural pieces at a limited budget. It was also more likely to obtain and/or salvage basic parts and materials outside of the budget, e.g. through use of leftover materials from the university's workshop.    * **Structural components** have been selected only after the electronic components list has been finalised and optimised. The reason for that was simple - while some electronic parts simply prooved irreplaceable, more freedom and creativity could have been applied to the selection of structural pieces at a limited budget. It was also more likely to obtain and/or salvage basic parts and materials outside of the budget, e.g. through use of leftover materials from the university's workshop. 
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 ^ Component ^ Quantity ^ Comments ^ Usage ^ Est. Price ^ Est. Supplier ^ ^ Component ^ Quantity ^ Comments ^ Usage ^ Est. Price ^ Est. Supplier ^
 ^Mechanical Components^^^^^^ ^Mechanical Components^^^^^^
-|Chassis |4 |MDF pieces, uncut | Raw material, to be used for the creation of the chassis in the University's workshop | €10.76 |Leroy Merlin | +|Chassis |4 |MDF pieces, uncut | Raw material, to be used for the creation of the chassis in the University's workshop | 10.76 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water distribution - T-joint |1 |d 16 | Necessary to split the water flow into two separate plat chalices | €1.99 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water distribution - T-joint |1 |d 16 | Necessary to split the water flow into two separate plat chalices | 1.99 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water distribution - Hose |1 |d 8 / d 11, roll of 5 m | Core piece of the distribution system | €5.99 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water distribution - Hose |1 |d 8 / d 11, a roll of 5 m | Core piece of the distribution system | 5.99 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Plant chalice |2 |d 90 to d 40 reduction | Structural elements for the compartment where the plants are being held and watered | €2.98 |Leroy Merlin | +|Plant chalice |2 |d 90 to d 40 reduction | Structural elements for the compartment where the plants are being held and watered | 2.98 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - bend |1 |d 40, 45' angle | Structural element for the unused water's recollection system | €0.49 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - bend |1 |d 40, 45' angle | Structural element for the unused water's recollection system | 0.49 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - fork |1 |d 40, 45' angle | As above | €1.19 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - fork |1 |d 40, 45' angle | As above | 1.19 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - tube |1 |d 40, 1 m | As above | €1.69 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - tube |1 |d 40, 1 m | As above | 1.69 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water collector - insulation|1 |Kitchen & Bathroom use silicone | Securing the joints between separate elements | €1.99 |Leroy Merlin | +|Water collector - insulation|1 |Kitchen & Bathroom use silicone | Securing the joints between separate elements | 1.99 € |Leroy Merlin | 
-|Water diffusers |1 |180' spread, come in packs of 10 | Used for creation of LPA environment for the plants | €2.99 |Leroy Merlin |+|Water diffusers |1 |180' spread, come in packs of 10 | Used for creation of LPA environment for the plants | 2.99 € |Leroy Merlin |
 ^ Electronic Components ^^^^^^ ^ Electronic Components ^^^^^^
 | Wireless Microcontroller | 1 | ESP-12E NodeMcu | CPU-core of the device's control circuitry | 9.90 € | "Bot'n'Roll" Online Store | | Wireless Microcontroller | 1 | ESP-12E NodeMcu | CPU-core of the device's control circuitry | 9.90 € | "Bot'n'Roll" Online Store |
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 | Project Box | 1 | Medium-sized box with 12 output sections | Organisation of electronic components and limiting contact with stray moisture | 2.75 € | "Electrofun" Online Store | | Project Box | 1 | Medium-sized box with 12 output sections | Organisation of electronic components and limiting contact with stray moisture | 2.75 € | "Electrofun" Online Store |
 ^ Shipping ^^^^^^ ^ Shipping ^^^^^^
-| Bot'n'roll | - | - | Free delivery over 50.00€ | 0 € | - |+| Bot'n'roll | - | - | Free delivery over 50.00 € | 0 € | - |
 | Leroy Merlin | - | - | Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - | | Leroy Merlin | - | - | Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - |
 | Electrofun | - | - | Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - | | Electrofun | - | - | Free pick up at the store | 0 € | - |
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 In case of the developed prototype, once the device is powered up, the setup phase begins, as shown in **Figure {{ref>dev_control}}**. First, all of the components connected to the CPU are initialised and prepared for operation. Should that process fail at any point, it shall be indicated through the RGB diode on the front panel of the device and then repeated. If the fault proves to be persistent, the device will eventually shut down as manual service might be necessary for proper operation.  In case of the developed prototype, once the device is powered up, the setup phase begins, as shown in **Figure {{ref>dev_control}}**. First, all of the components connected to the CPU are initialised and prepared for operation. Should that process fail at any point, it shall be indicated through the RGB diode on the front panel of the device and then repeated. If the fault proves to be persistent, the device will eventually shut down as manual service might be necessary for proper operation. 
  
-Next step is obtaining the access to the Internet. Though limited, internal memory of the ESP-type microcontroller is sufficient for storing WiFi credentials. If a network already used in the past is detected, the device will approach it automatically. This will, however, often not be the case for one of many reasons - brand new installation, relocation, upgrade to the wireless network setup. In such a case the device will prompt the user via RGB LED for help in the selection of a new network to connect to. A hotspot will be generated explicitly named after the device, upon connecting to which the user will be redirected to a web terminal showing all of the networks detected by the device. Selecting one of them and providing the password if necessary will make the microcontroller connect to that access point, store the authentication details and carry on with the booting sequence.+Next step is obtaining the access to the Internet. Though limited, internal memory of the ESP-type microcontroller is sufficient for storing Wi-Fi credentials. If a network already used in the past is detected, the device will approach it automatically. This will, however, often not be the case for one of many reasons - brand new installation, relocation, upgrade to the wireless network setup. In such a case the device will prompt the user via RGB LED for help in the selection of a new network to connect to. A hotspot will be generated explicitly named after the device, upon connecting to which the user will be redirected to a web terminal showing all of the networks detected by the device. Selecting one of them and providing the password if necessary will make the microcontroller connect to that access point, store the authentication details and carry on with the booting sequence.
  
-After booting up the components and connecting to the Internet, the next step is to establish a check-in with the remote web server. A simple ping-like GET request is issued toward it. An acknowledgment is expected in return with a status code "OK". A lack of such confirmation or one carrying any other status code will be interpreted as an error in establishing the connection and the ping will shortly be repeated. Again, should the error remain persistent, the device will eventually shut down. +After booting up the components and connecting to the Internet, the next step is to establish a check-in with the remote web server. A simple ping-like GET request is issued toward it. An acknowledgement is expected in return with a status code "OK". A lack of such confirmation or one carrying any other status code will be interpreted as an error in establishing the connection and the ping will shortly be repeated. Again, should the error remain persistent, the device will eventually shut down. 
  
 If no errors have been encountered above, the device moves into a persistent operation phase. At a predefined interval - in our case 60 seconds appeared to be a safe middle ground between resolution and lightweight of operation -, the device takes measurements from the sensors connected and sends them to the web server via a POST request. These are processed on the server-side, what will be explained in more details in the next section. In the end, however, the server responds to the device sending over control parameters to be applied to the device's elements - LED plant illuminators and the water pump. While the state of the former does not alter until being overwritten with another set of control parameters, the latter is being turned on for the amount of time requested by the server - relatively just a fraction of the interval at which the device obtains commands from the server - and then automatically brought back to idle up until a pump run is requested once again.  If no errors have been encountered above, the device moves into a persistent operation phase. At a predefined interval - in our case 60 seconds appeared to be a safe middle ground between resolution and lightweight of operation -, the device takes measurements from the sensors connected and sends them to the web server via a POST request. These are processed on the server-side, what will be explained in more details in the next section. In the end, however, the server responds to the device sending over control parameters to be applied to the device's elements - LED plant illuminators and the water pump. While the state of the former does not alter until being overwritten with another set of control parameters, the latter is being turned on for the amount of time requested by the server - relatively just a fraction of the interval at which the device obtains commands from the server - and then automatically brought back to idle up until a pump run is requested once again. 
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 The web server appointed to the project has been created in an environment fully suitable for large-scale, professional application. As such, its booting sequence is complex and full of fallback mechanisms, and its continuous operation is prepared for various events out of the scope of our project's application. That being the case, the server-side logic in **Figure {{ref>srv_control}}** is presented assuming reception of the signal sent out from the device as the entry point.  The web server appointed to the project has been created in an environment fully suitable for large-scale, professional application. As such, its booting sequence is complex and full of fallback mechanisms, and its continuous operation is prepared for various events out of the scope of our project's application. That being the case, the server-side logic in **Figure {{ref>srv_control}}** is presented assuming reception of the signal sent out from the device as the entry point. 
  
-Once the transmission is received, the incoming sensor readings are written down to the database. At the same time, user preferences and the factual details about the plants they grow are loaded. Based on the all the above data, the server then appoints the most appropriate settings to apply to the device in the next operation cycle (i.e. until the next batch of sensor readings are delivered and the state of the device recalculated. Taken into account are the optimal growing conditions for the plants inhabiting the device which were stored in the database in advance, user customized preferences like time-shift of the lights-up period of the day and the current natural illumination of the device in comparison to the demand. +Once the transmission is received, the incoming sensor readings are written down to the database. At the same time, user preferences and the factual details about the plants they grow are loaded. Based on the all the above data, the server then appoints the most appropriate settings to apply to the device in the next operation cycle (i.e. until the next batch of sensor readings are delivered and the state of the device recalculated. Taken into account are the optimal growing conditions for the plants inhabiting the device which were stored in the database in advance, user-customized preferences like time-shift of the lights-up period of the day and the current natural illumination of the device in comparison to the demand. 
  
 A data package with the control parameters is prepared for the device as a response to its POST request to the server. In addition, the water level sensor reading is tested against the critical level at which a refill should be done by the user. Should the reserve be to low, the user is to be notified about it through the means of the mobile application accompanying the product.  A data package with the control parameters is prepared for the device as a response to its POST request to the server. In addition, the water level sensor reading is tested against the critical level at which a refill should be done by the user. Should the reserve be to low, the user is to be notified about it through the means of the mobile application accompanying the product. 
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 <figure srv_control> <figure srv_control>
 {{Server_control.png?556}} {{Server_control.png?556}}
-<caption>Control logic flowchart of the Web Server's operation</caption>+<caption>Activity diagram of the Web Server's logic of operation upon connection from the device</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
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 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
 With the wooden pieces already cut the task was to join all the pieces with screws and once it was done, we spread the silicone as a waterproof system for the water deposit. With the wooden pieces already cut the task was to join all the pieces with screws and once it was done, we spread the silicone as a waterproof system for the water deposit.
-After that, we started cutting all the watering system staff(pipes, joints)  and we put into the plant chalice as well as the sprinklers.+After that, we started cutting all the watering system components (pipes, joints) and we put into the plant chalice as well as the sprinklers.
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
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 === - Electronic Controls Development === === - Electronic Controls Development ===
  
-<WRAP>+<WRAP group>
 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
-The assembly of the electronic "neural system" began with a temporary connection of the related components on a breadboard base, as depicted in **Figure {{ref>electro_prototype}}**. This type of interconnection serves poorly on a long run as it tends to be fragile, clunky and partially unreliable, yet prooves well for testing and rapid prototyping. The jumper connections are by intent temporary, allowing for quick changes to the circuit to be made and to work on a trial and error basis. +The assembly of the electronic "neural system" began with a temporary connection of the related components on a breadboard base, as depicted in **Figure {{ref>electro_prototype}}**. This type of interconnection serves poorly on a long run as it tends to be fragile, clunky and partially unreliable, yet prooves well suited for testing and rapid prototyping. The jumper connections are by intent temporary, allowing for quick changes to the circuit to be made and to work on a trial and error basis. 
  
-At this stage of assembly, all of the components ordered have been tested in terms of their principle operation. No malfunctions have been detected. Next, compatibility of various elements with their intended use via the microcontroller has been evaluated. As it turned out, some combinations of device-pin connections caused unpredictable behavior i.e. wiring any of the RGB LED's legs to the Digital Pin no. 4 of the microcontroller resulted in an infinite loop of device rebooting. +At this stage of assembly, all of the components ordered have been tested in terms of their principle operation. No malfunctions have been detected. Next, compatibility of various elements with their intended use via the microcontroller has been evaluated. As it turned out, some combinations of device-pin connections caused unpredictable behaviour i.e. wiring any of the RGB LED's legs to the Digital Pin no. 4 of the microcontroller resulted in an infinite loop of device rebooting. 
  
 Another unpredicted outcome was the fact that the water pump did not respond to the PWD control as expected - in fact, only full 100 % duty cycle resulted in the motor's activation. Any setting below that did not activate the component at all. While coming with a surprise, this flaw would prove not to be critical, as the pump's chassis came with a mechanical limiter of the water flow that allows limiting the pressure if necessary - although only through manual intervention inside the prototype device, instead of initially assumed remote control via the Web Service. Another unpredicted outcome was the fact that the water pump did not respond to the PWD control as expected - in fact, only full 100 % duty cycle resulted in the motor's activation. Any setting below that did not activate the component at all. While coming with a surprise, this flaw would prove not to be critical, as the pump's chassis came with a mechanical limiter of the water flow that allows limiting the pressure if necessary - although only through manual intervention inside the prototype device, instead of initially assumed remote control via the Web Service.
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 As a final result, a heavily case-specific socket station for the ESP microcontroller has been assembled, wiring it to the power source, all of the sensors, and all the transistors taking the role of power relays for elements under control. This socket has been presented standalone in **Figure {{ref>electro_final_socket}}** and with the microcontroller unit installed in **Figure {{ref>electro_final_device}}**. As a final result, a heavily case-specific socket station for the ESP microcontroller has been assembled, wiring it to the power source, all of the sensors, and all the transistors taking the role of power relays for elements under control. This socket has been presented standalone in **Figure {{ref>electro_final_socket}}** and with the microcontroller unit installed in **Figure {{ref>electro_final_device}}**.
  
-<WRAP>+<WRAP group>
 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
 <figure electro_tools> <figure electro_tools>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-<WRAP>+<WRAP group>
 <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
 <figure electro_final_socket> <figure electro_final_socket>
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 === - Software Development === === - Software Development ===
  
-This module comes with an Android application that controls and monitors the module. However, in addition to the Android application, there is a server with a REST API that is responsible for the security of the application and mapping the correct user with the correct device. Every module is connected to the server via WiFi connector, which is why the customer can get notifications on his android application regardless of the distance that he/she is with the module. +This module comes with an Android application that controls and monitors the module. However, in addition to the Android application, there is a server with a REST API that is responsible for the security of the application and mapping the correct user with the correct device. Every module is connected to the server via Wi-Fi connector, which is why the customer can get notifications on his android application regardless of the distance that he/she is with the module. 
  
 Example of this would be, the customer is at work and his/her module decides that it is time to harvest the plant. The module will inform the server, which sends the push notification to the Android application of the customer that is in possession of that specific module. Example of this would be, the customer is at work and his/her module decides that it is time to harvest the plant. The module will inform the server, which sends the push notification to the Android application of the customer that is in possession of that specific module.
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-The user has several options for using the Android application. Firstly, the user must log in to the system or register if the user has just bought our product. After successfully logging into our system, the user can add a new plant if there is a free plant socket. Additionally, the user can monitor the existing plant sockets so that he/she knows if the climate is desirable and he/she can put some changes to it if needed. There is another actor to the system which is the Administrator,​ whose only action is adding new plants to the system with specifications about how to grow them and also updating the specifications of the current plants.+The user has several options for using the Android application. Firstly, the user must log in to the system or register if the user has just bought our product. After successfully logging into our system, the user can add a new plant if there is a free plant socket. Additionally, the user can monitor the existing plant sockets so that he/she knows if the climate is desirable and he/she can put some changes to it if needed. There is another actor to the system which is the Administrator, whose only action is adding new plants to the system with specifications about how to grow them and also updating the specifications of the current plants.
  
  
-**Figure {{ref>communications2}}** shows how the android interacts with the device after logging in.+**Figure {{ref>communications2}}** shows how the Android interacts with the device after logging in.
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
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 For safety reasons, the server contains a scheduler that runs every 5 minutes regarding other types of push notifications to the Android device: For safety reasons, the server contains a scheduler that runs every 5 minutes regarding other types of push notifications to the Android device:
   * **No signal received for the last 5 minutes**, which prompts the user to check the internet connection of the device   * **No signal received for the last 5 minutes**, which prompts the user to check the internet connection of the device
-  * **Plant is ready for harvesting**, which prompts the user to harvest the plant and that the plant will not go bad+  * **Plant is ready for harvesting**, using the scheduler already running, plants in the device are checked for availability and proper notifications may be scheduled for the user. This functionality could be extracted to a less frequently executed code, e.g. running once/twice a day. 
 **Figure {{ref>safety}}** shows how the safety scheduler works in the system. **Figure {{ref>safety}}** shows how the safety scheduler works in the system.
  
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 === - Software Design === === - Software Design ===
  
-The design of the mobile application was made for adult and children. So it is really simple and natural to use.+The design of the mobile application was made for adult and children. So it is really simple and natural to use. The technical implementation of the app should involve native development for both of the major smartphone operating systems used worldwide - a Java/Kotlin based application for the Android environment and a C/Swift based counterpart of iOS. Albeit popularity of mixed/hybrid apps is nowadays increasing, the team believes that native development allows the deeper use of each platform's possibilities and results in clearer, easier to understand and use interface taking into account different standards and trends known by the users of both of the systems.
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
 <figure safety> <figure safety>
 {{ app_vereatable.jpg?512 }}  {{ app_vereatable.jpg?512 }} 
-<caption>Safety scheduler of the Vereatable software system</caption>+<caption>Visual mockups of the Vereatable App user interface</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
   - **Load page**: when you had clicked on the application.   - **Load page**: when you had clicked on the application.
-  - **Homepage​**: It will give all the most important information. The water level and your next harvest, the bell in the right corner will repeat this information more clearly. The parameters button is on the left corner, for example,​ to add a model to your indoor garden.  +  - **Homepage**: It will give all the most important information. The water level and your next harvest, the bell in the right corner will repeat this information more clearly. The parameters button is on the left corner, for example, to add a model to your indoor garden.  
-  - **Home > My Garden:** is a resume of your real garden. It shows​ explicitly how your garden is built​ and what kind of plants you have inside. As you can see, module 2 & 3 are empty, the hand with a plant inside will lead you to​ the Research page (5). If you click on one module you will arrive on the next page (4) +  - **Home > My Garden:** is a resume of your real garden. It shows explicitly how your garden is built and what kind of plants you have inside. As you can see, module 2 & 3 are empty, the hand with a plant inside will lead you to the Research page (5). If you click on one module you will arrive on the next page (4) 
-  - **Home > My Garden > Module 2**: It resumes​ the plant you have inside your actual module 1, the date you plant them and an approximative date it will be ready to harvest. +  - **Home > My Garden > Module 2**: It resumes the plant you have inside your actual module 1, the date you plant them and an approximative date it will be ready to harvest. 
-  - **Home > Research**: It is the database of our application you can find every plant you need and you want to grow. If the plant is not inside yet, you can add it by yourself with your​ own knowledges, it can help​ others users.+  - **Home > Research**: It is the database of our application you can find every plant you need and you want to grow. If the plant is not inside yet, you can add it by yourself with your own bits of knowledge, it can help​ others users.
   - If you click on the plant you chose, a drop down page box with health and benefits​ information about this plant. Then some requirements to grow. To plant it just click on the hand in the left corner of this box and chose the room.   - If you click on the plant you chose, a drop down page box with health and benefits​ information about this plant. Then some requirements to grow. To plant it just click on the hand in the left corner of this box and chose the room.
   - **Home > My Profil**: We want or application almost like a forum between VEReatable farmers. With your profile​ you are able to send messages to other, share your experiences. On this page will be registered your age, city, experiences of growing, pseudo, picture(s) of your plants, years of experience on the app etc.   - **Home > My Profil**: We want or application almost like a forum between VEReatable farmers. With your profile​ you are able to send messages to other, share your experiences. On this page will be registered your age, city, experiences of growing, pseudo, picture(s) of your plants, years of experience on the app etc.
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 | Room at daytime, sensor far away from the windows | 85 - 100 lux | 100 - 150 lux | | Room at daytime, sensor far away from the windows | 85 - 100 lux | 100 - 150 lux |
 | Room at daytime, sensor close to the windows | 1,920 - 1,935 lux | 1,500 - 2,000 lux | | Room at daytime, sensor close to the windows | 1,920 - 1,935 lux | 1,500 - 2,000 lux |
-| Flashlight pointed directly toward the sensor | 9,900 - 10,000 lux | NDA |+| Flashlight pointed directly toward the sensor | 9,900 - 10,000 lux | ND |
 | Direct sunlight | 65,536 lux | 32,000 - 100,000 lux | | Direct sunlight | 65,536 lux | 32,000 - 100,000 lux |
 </table> </table>
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 == Results == == Results ==
-In **Table {{ref>init_debug}}** is presented a take from the debugging logs of the device during a successful initialisation. The device is capable of meeting the expectation. Additionally, failsafe mechanisms have been all tested, in case of undetected components, unavailable WiFi connections or the server not responding - all behaving as expected.+In **Table {{ref>init_debug}}** is presented a take from the debugging logs of the device during a successful initialisation. The device is capable of meeting the expectation. Additionally, failsafe mechanisms have been all tested, in case of undetected components, unavailable Wi-Fi connections or the server not responding - all behaving as expected.
  
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
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 With this report, Team SAMARA developed a product which achieved the requirements that were set, as can be seen in Section 1.5 Requirements.  With this report, Team SAMARA developed a product which achieved the requirements that were set, as can be seen in Section 1.5 Requirements. 
  
-Several themes were raised during the development of this project. This allowed the team to discover areas and understand their importance.  Based on the research done by the team on the topic of State of the Art  helped us to understand the subject and to learn about what already exists on the market and decide to create a product that will have a high market value and will be a strong competitor in the market and contribute highly to the future of vertical farming. Project management was necessary to carry out a project with constraints such as budget and deadlines. Thanks to this analysis, the team was able to build a project on a good basis. Even when  there was some unforeseen circumstances and delays regarding the materials cost  the team managed to push through the obstacles and deliver the product with very high quality.+Several topics were raised during the development of this project. This allowed the team to discover areas and understand their importance.  Based on the research done by the team on the topic of State of the Art  helped us to understand the subject and to learn about what already exists on the market and decide to create a product that will have a high market value and will be a strong competitor in the market and contribute highly to the future of vertical farming. Project management was necessary to carry out a project with constraints such as budget and deadlines. Thanks to this analysis, the team was able to build a project on a good basis. Even when there were some unforeseen circumstances and delays regarding the materials cost the team managed to push through the obstacles and deliver the product with very high quality.
  
-In the marketing chapter the Team developed the image of the product, the logos and commercial names. The team chose to use environmentally friendly materials, and produce a re-usable indoor vertical farming. It was very important for the team to make a product that is respectful to the environment not only during the manufacture but during its life course. With Vereatable, the indoor garden we provide an eco-friendly solution and a greener way of life. After the ethical and deontological analysis, the team has decided to be honest, objective, fair and impartial throughout the life of the project and always try to find the best solutions especially regarding the environmental ethics. Because we believe that through our project on vertical farming we are entering a field with great opportunities to change today' s agriculture impact on the environment.+In the marketing chapter, the Team developed the image of the product, the logos and commercial names. The team chose to use environmentally friendly materials, and produce a re-usable indoor vertical farming. It was very important for the team to make a product that is respectful to the environment not only during the manufacture but during its life course. With Vereatable, the indoor garden we provide an eco-friendly solution and a greener way of life. After the ethical and deontological analysis, the team has decided to be honest, objective, fair and impartial throughout the life of the project and always try to find the best solutions especially regarding the environmental ethics. Because we believe that through our project on vertical farming we are entering a field with great opportunities to change today' s agriculture impact on the environment.
  
-After research the Team started developing the product, did some basic drafting and came up with an idea and drew a 3D model. For the prototype of the product to be actually developed, tested and presented in nature, a whole array of components had to be researched, compared, selected, and ordered. With the budget on these spendings being strictly limited, the team had to balance find the best possible balance between cost efficiency, quality of operation, and spectrum of functionalities offered by the prototype.  The Team designed a prototype and a control system, built and assembled the electrical components, developed the software and eventually finished the prototype. +After research, the Team started developing the product, did some basic drafting and came up with an idea and drew a 3D model. For the prototype of the product to be actually developed, tested and presented in nature, a whole array of components had to be researched, compared, selected, and ordered. With the budget on these spendings being strictly limited, the team had to balance find the best possible balance between cost efficiency, quality of operation, and spectrum of functionalities offered by the prototype.  The Team designed a prototype and a control system, built and assembled the electrical components, developed the software and eventually finished the prototype. 
  
-In the beginning of this semester we faced the problem of building a solid team between different cultural people from different countries and most important with different level of english as a method of communication. There were a lot of ups and downs during our time working together but we decided to see this experience as a lesson. In our future as engineers we will be faced with  similar situations and the solution the team has found to work through it, to be solid and to support each other in our weaknesses, will become a useful skill. We divided each task depending of our knowledge and our strengths. During the project we had to trust our teammates and help each other when it was needed. The positive thing about this experience is we learned a lot about each members fields, about how to work with strangers and most importantly about ourselves.+At the beginning of this semester, we faced the problem of building a solid team between different cultural people from different countries and most important with different level of English as a method of communication. There were a lot of ups and downs during our time working together but we decided to see this experience as a lesson. In our future as engineers we will be faced with similar situations and the solution the team has found to work through it, to be solid and to support each other in our weaknesses, will become a useful skill. We divided each task depending on our knowledge and our strengths. During the project, we had to trust our teammates and help each other when it was needed. The positive thing about this experience is we learned a lot about each members fields, about how to work with strangers and most importantly about ourselves.
  
  
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 ==== - Future Development ====   ==== - Future Development ====  
-Working within the time and budget constraints of the EPS meant that the product is never completely finished. Improvements can always be made. In the case of Vereatable, indoor garden further improvement in the sustainability factor of the product can always be made.+Working within the time and budget constraints of the EPS meant that the product is never completely finished. Improvements can always be made. In the case of Vereatable, indoor garden further improvement in the sustainability factor of the product can always be made.One of our ideas is to add a water quality control system so we can test samples and their conditions to eliminate toxic chemicals, and adjust nutritions before they enter our device. Because water source quality is of the highest importance to aeroponic and generally hydroponic systems. 
 + 
 +A step in the project would also be to  Upgrade the electronics used for the device to a set that could handle more calculations, inputs, and outputs. Enable the device to operate in the default mode at times when the connection with the server would be lost, not to put the plants at risk due to external factors Also, to slim down the mechanical design so that the device occupies less space. Use custom-made parts instead of standard pieces from hardware stores.To implement true modularity solutions we wanr tocreate multiple, more advanced prototypes that can work and interact with each other. 
  
-A step in the project would also be to  Upgrade the electronics used for the device to a set that could handle more calculations, inputs, and outputs. Enable the device to operate in the default mode at times when the connection with the server would be lost, not to put the plants at risk due to external factors Also, to slim down the mechanical design so that the device occupies less space. Use custom-made parts instead of standard pieces from hardware stores. +And regarding the software development we want to finish the Android App and  do an iOS App,to have real-time data for the sensors and also an App section with farming tips and developing an iOS application.
-And regarding the software development real-time data for the sensors, App section with farming tips and developing an iOS application.+
  
-The research and development done by team 1, team SAMARA, of the EPS@ISEP provides a good base to work on new sustainable products regarding vertical farms. For example a sustainable autonomous indoor vertical garden, or even for industrial purposes. The team hopes to inspire new ideas to other people with our work because we believe that through our project on vertical farming we entered a field with great opportunities to change today' s agriculture impact on the environment and provide a more greener and sustainable way of life. +The research and development done by team 1, team SAMARA, of the EPS@ISEP, provides a good base to work on new sustainable products regarding vertical farms. For example a sustainable autonomous indoor vertical garden, or even for industrial purposes. The team hopes to inspire new ideas to other people with our work because we believe that through our project on vertical farming we entered a field with great opportunities to change today' s agriculture impact on the environment and provide a more greener and sustainable way of life. 
  
 ===== - Bibliography ===== ===== - Bibliography =====

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