BloomAI Smart Plant Monitoring System
The Seed of Inspiration
It all started in a yurt. Yes, you read that right — a yurt in Mongolia where winters drop to a balmy -40°C. Trying to keep plants alive in those conditions was like trying to teach a fish to ride a bicycle.
The “Aha!” Moment at CalHacks
Fast forward to CalHacks 11.0, where the idea sprouted: Why not use IoT and AI to help plants not just survive but thrive, even in the harshest conditions? Enter BloomAI — a smart plant monitoring system.
Assembling the Dream Team
I teamed up with the brilliant minds of Oliver Chou, Joshua Ko, and Xi Gao. Together, we combined our superpowers in hardware, software, and, of course, plant whispering.
Diving into the Tech Jungle
We dove headfirst into sensors, microcontrollers, and code. Our table looked like a sci-fi garden — wires intertwined with leaves. We faced challenges like sensors that only sensed their own refusal to work and AI models that thought a cactus was a porcupine.
Overcoming the Thorns
Connecting with Deepgram AI was like trying to explain photosynthesis to a rock. But with the help of patient mentors and an unhealthy amount of caffeine, we cracked it.
BloomAI Comes to Life
Finally, BloomAI was alive! It could monitor temperature, soil moisture, humidity, and light levels in real-time. It offered AI-driven plant care advice and even allowed users to chat with their plants — because who doesn’t want to ask their fern about its day?
The Grand Presentation
Presenting at CalHacks 11.0 was exhilarating. We showcased 3D visualizations of plant health, interactive data insights, and our journey from yurt struggles to tech solutions.
Reflecting on the Journey
We learned that sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to combine personal experiences with cutting-edge technology. Also, that storytelling is just as important as coding — especially when sleep-deprived judges are trying to grasp your concept at 3 AM.
What’s Next for BloomAI
We’re not stopping here. Plans are blooming to expand sensor support, launch a community platform, and develop a mobile app. We’re excited to help more people turn their black thumbs green.
A Thank You Note
A huge shoutout to the CalHacks organizers, mentors, and everyone who supported us. And to our plants, for tolerating our tinkering. Here’s to making the world a greener place — one smart plant at a time!
Learn More and Join Us
- AI Podcast: https://youtu.be/_W7GpF9KIJw?si=A88852OMNsEFyT5f
- Devpost: BloomAI on Devpost
- Demo: Watch Our Demo
