Proof of Concept for Vertical Farms in Supermarkets

Imagine walking into your local supermarket and picking fresh lettuce or herbs grown right there in the store. No long supply chains, no extra transportation costs, and complete transparency about where your food comes from. This vision became a reality thanks to GMI Software, who partnered with a forward-thinking client to create modular vertical farms inside supermarkets. Their Proof of Concept (PoC) aimed to redefine urban agriculture, tackling logistical challenges and boosting sustainability.

Background

The idea for this project was inspired by a client who dreamed of vertical farms in shopping centers and supermarkets. The goal was to grow fresh produce like lettuce and herbs on-site, reducing environmental impact and delivering fresher products to customers.

Project Goals and Challenges

Goals:

1. Develop a modular farming system for easy supermarket installation.
2. Monitor and control humidity, lighting, and temperature for optimal plant growth.
3. Create a centralized system for data collection and analysis to improve decision-making.

Challenges:

1. Seamlessly integrate various technologies for reliable data collection and analysis.
2. Develop a scalable and user-friendly interface.
3. Ensure robust data security and scalability for future growth.

Technical Solution

Architecture Overview:

• Sensors and PLC Controllers: The system uses a network of advanced sensors to monitor critical environmental conditions such as humidity, light levels, and temperature. These sensors are connected to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which serve as the brains of the operation, collecting and processing real-time data to ensure optimal conditions for plant growth.
• MQTT Broker: Acting as a central communication hub, the MQTT Broker is hosted in the cloud. It efficiently handles the transmission of data from the PLCs to the central web application. This broker ensures that data flows seamlessly and reliably, managing data queues and ensuring no information is lost.
• Central Web Application: This is the control center of the system. The web application retrieves data from the MQTT Broker, analyzes it, and provides visual insights through an intuitive interface. It displays real-time data in the form of tables and graphs, allowing for easy monitoring and management.

System Integration:

• Sensor Data Collection: The sensors placed throughout the vertical farm communicate with the PLCs to gather real-time data on environmental conditions. This data includes detailed readings of humidity, light intensity, and temperature, which are crucial for maintaining optimal growth conditions.
• MQTT Broker Setup: Once collected by the PLCs, the data is transmitted to an MQTT Broker in the cloud. The MQTT Broker is responsible for managing the flow of data, ensuring it is transmitted securely and efficiently from the PLCs to the central web application.
• Central Application Design: The central web application is designed to be user-friendly and highly functional. It retrieves the data from the MQTT Broker, stores it in a robust database, and presents it through clear and interactive visualizations. Users can view real-time data and historical trends in tables and graphs, making it easy to monitor and analyze the farm’s performance.

Data Analysis and Control:

• Real-Time Monitoring: The system provides comprehensive insights into the environmental conditions of the vertical farm. Through the web application, users can view real-time data on humidity, light levels, and temperature. These insights are presented in an easy-to-understand format, using tables and graphs that highlight current conditions and trends over time.
• Adjustable Parameters: One of the key features of the system is the ability to fine-tune environmental conditions. Users can adjust parameters such as humidity, light intensity, and temperature through the web application. This level of control ensures that the farm can be optimized for the best possible plant growth, leading to higher yields and better quality produce.

Results of Proof of Concept

During the initial testing phase, the Proof of Concept (PoC) was rigorously evaluated in the client’s test environment. GMI Software demonstrated their ability to seamlessly integrate multiple advanced technologies, resulting in a robust system capable of real-time data collection, analysis, and visualization. This successful integration showcased the system’s reliability and effectiveness in managing the unique demands of an in-store vertical farm.

Key Benefits:

• Comprehensive Data Collection: The PoC introduced a level of data collection that was previously unattainable with standalone PLC controllers. By leveraging an array of sophisticated sensors and a centralized data system, the solution enabled continuous and detailed monitoring of critical environmental parameters. This comprehensive data collection facilitated long-term analysis, allowing for the identification of patterns and trends that were not visible before.
• Improved Decision-Making: The detailed data analysis capabilities of the system significantly enhanced decision-making processes. By providing historical trends and real-time insights into environmental conditions, the system allowed users to make informed adjustments to farm parameters. This ability to fine-tune conditions based on accurate and timely data led to optimized plant growth, higher yields, and improved produce quality. The historical data also served as a valuable resource for predictive analytics, helping to anticipate and mitigate potential issues before they affected the farm’s performance.

Future Development Plans

The client plans to scale the project to 5000 modules over the next five years. This ambitious goal involves several strategic steps:

• AI Integration: Implement artificial intelligence for more advanced data analysis and pattern recognition.
• Broader Application: Expand the system beyond supermarkets to include larger-scale agricultural production.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with firms in manufacturing, logistics, and technology to enhance scalability.

Conclusion

This Proof of Concept represents a significant leap forward in the realm of urban farming. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technology, GMI Software and their visionary client have developed a system that fundamentally changes how fresh produce is grown, distributed, and consumed in urban settings.

The modular vertical farming system not only addresses the challenges of traditional agriculture, such as long supply chains and high transportation costs, but also promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint. The integration of advanced sensors, real-time data analytics, and a user-friendly web application ensures optimal growing conditions, leading to fresher, healthier produce available directly in supermarkets.

This innovative approach to urban agriculture has the potential to reshape city landscapes, turning supermarkets into vibrant, green spaces where fresh produce is grown on-site. The success of this PoC paves the way for a future where urban farming is a commonplace reality, bringing fresher food closer to consumers, enhancing food security, and contributing to more sustainable cities.

Ready to revolutionize your own farming operations? Contact GMI Software today to explore how we can help bring your sustainable farming vision to life.