ASSIGNMENT 2 - TDCC : IOT and Smart Living

JESSICA MEHRA | 220BDES009

School of Design

Q. How does IoT help in precision farming and smart irrigation? Provide real-world examples. What are

the benefits of using IoT-based soil moisture sensors in agriculture?

What is smart agriculture? The definition and market size

Smart agriculture, is mostly used to denote the application of IoT solutions in agriculture. So what is smart agriculture using
IoT? By using IoT sensors to collect environmental and machine metrics, farmers can make informed decisions, and
improve just about every aspect of their work – from livestock to crop farming.

For example, by using smart agriculture sensors to monitor the state of crops, farmers can define exactly how many
pesticides and fertilizers they have to use to reach optimal efficiency. The same applies to the smart farming definition.

The Benefits of smart farming: How’s IoT shaping agriculture

Technologies and IoT have the potential to transform agriculture in many aspects. Namely, there are 6 ways IoT can improve
agriculture
Data, tons of data, collected by smart agriculture sensors, e.g. weather conditions, soil quality, crop’s growth progress or
cattle’s health. This data can be used to track the state of your business in general as well as staff performance,
equipment efficiency, etc
Better control over the internal processes and, as a result, lower production risks. The ability to foresee the output of your
production allows you to plan for better product distribution. If you know exactly how much crops you are going to
harvest, you can make sure your product won’t lie around unsold
Cost management and waste reduction thanks to the increased control over the production. Being able to see any
anomalies in the crop growth or livestock health, you will be able to mitigate the risks of losing your yield
Increased business efficiency through process automation. By using smart devices, you can automate multiple processes
across your production cycle, e.g. irrigation, fertilizing, or pest control
Enhanced product quality and volumes. Achieve better control over the production process and maintain higher
standards of crop quality and growth capacity through automation
Reduced environmental footprint. Automation also carries environmental benefits. Smart farming technologies can cut
down on the use of pesticides and fertilizer by offering more precise coverage, and thus, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.

As a result, all of these factors can eventually lead to higher revenue.

IoT use cases in agriculture (with examples)

There are many types of IoT sensors for agriculture as well as

IoT applications in agriculture in general
Monitoring of climate conditions

Probably the most popular smart agriculture gadgets are

weather stations, combining various smart farming sensors.
Located across the field, they collect various data from the
environment and send it to the cloud. The provided
measurements can be used to map the climate conditions,
choose the appropriate crops, and take the required
measures to improve their capacity (i.e. precision farming).

Some examples of such agriculture IoT devices

are allMETEO, Smart Elements, and Pycno.

2. Greenhouse automation

Typically, farmers use manual intervention to control the

greenhouse environment. The use of IoT sensors enables
them to get accurate real-time information on greenhouse
conditions such as lighting, temperature, soil condition,
and humidity.

In addition to sourcing environmental data, weather

stations can automatically adjust the conditions to match
the given parameters. Specifically, greenhouse automation
systems use a similar principle.

For instance, Farmapp and Growlink are also IoT

agriculture products offering such capabilities among
others.

3. Crop management

One more type of IoT product in agriculture and another

element of precision farming are crop management
devices. Just like weather stations, they should be placed
in the field to collect data specific to crop farming; from
temperature and precipitation to leaf water potential and
overall crop health.

Thus, you can monitor your crop growth and any

anomalies to effectively prevent any diseases or
infestations that can harm your
yield. Arable and Semios can serve as good
representations of how this use case can be applied in
real life.

4. Precision farming

Precision farming is all about efficiency and making

accurate data-driven decisions. It’s also one of the most
widespread and effective applications of IoT in agriculture.

By using IoT sensors, farmers can collect a vast array of

metrics on every facet of the field microclimate and
ecosystem: lighting, temperature, soil condition, humidity,
CO2 levels, and pest infections. This data enables farmers
to estimate optimal amounts of water, fertilizers, and
pesticides that their crops need, reduce expenses, and
raise better and healthier crops.

For eg, CropX builds IoT soil sensors that measure soil
moisture, temperature, and electric conductivity enabling
farmers to approach each crop’s unique needs individually.
Our work case of IoT solutions for agriculture

Our team at Eastern Peak has also contributed to the progress of IoT applications in agriculture. The IoT-powered irrigation
application, GreenIQ, helps gardeners reduce water usage by 50%, monitor humidity levels, and predict the best timing for irrigation.
GreenIQ uses smart sensors to analyze meteorological conditions and soil types, creating the perfect irrigation strategy and
adapting to new environments.

The GreenIQ application also integrates with the most well-known home automation platforms. This app is another valuable
contribution to eco-friendly gardening and one of many examples of how smart farming products can change the future of
agriculture.

Benefits of Using IoT-Based Soil Moisture Sensors in Agriculture

IoT-based soil moisture sensors provide several advantages

Water Conservation: These sensors automate irrigation based on moisture thresholds, significantly reducing water wastage
Cost Reduction: By eliminating manual checks for soil conditions, farmers save labor costs and operational expenses
Improved Crop Yields: Real-time data enables precise watering schedules tailored to crop needs, enhancing growth and
productivity
Adaptability: Sensors can adjust irrigation practices based on unexpected weather changes, ensuring consistent crop health
Accessibility: Farmers can monitor soil conditions remotely via mobile or tablet devices, improving convenience and decision-
making efficiency.

Real-World Example

EOSDA Crop Monitoring uses satellite-based soil moisture sensors to provide insights into surface and root-zone moisture levels
across large areas. This technology helps farmers plan irrigation events efficiently while reducing costs associated with traditional
ground-based sensing devices.

Sources :

https://easternpeak.com/blog/iot-in-agriculture-technology-use-cases-for-smart-farming-and-challenges-to-consider/

https://www.iotforall.com/iot-in-agriculture-paving-the-way-for-smart-farminghttps://www.iotforall.com/iot-in-agriculture-paving-the-way-for-smart-farming
Q. Conduct a case study on a real-life smart home system. Identify its IoT components and functions.

LG ThinQ: Smart Home Control with One App

By serving as a central hub for a wide range of IoT devices, it paves the way for a truly intelligent and
interconnected home environment

The LG ThinQ smart home system serves as a comprehensive example of IoT integration in home automation. It
connects various household appliances and devices to create an intelligent, user-friendly ecosystem. Below is an
analysis of its IoT components and functions.

IoT Components in LG ThinQ Smart Home Syste

Smart Appliances
Refrigerators: Monitor temperature, adjust ice maker speed, track food inventory, and receive alerts for expiration
dates or open doors
Washing Machines: Remote control for washing cycles, optimal cycle selection, and proactive maintenance
notifications
Air Conditioners and Humidifiers: Adjust settings remotely for temperature and humidity control
Central Hub
ThinQ ON AI Hub: Acts as the central control system, connecting all IoT devices. It uses AI to learn user habits (e.g.,
bedtime routines) and automate tasks like turning off lights or adjusting appliance settings
Connectivity
Wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, NFC, and sound-based diagnostics enable seamless communication
between device
Interoperability with platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant enhances voice control functionality
Mobile Application
The LG ThinQ app allows users to monitor and control devices remotely, diagnose issues proactively, and
automate settings based on preferences.

Functions of the LG ThinQ Syste

Automation: Automates daily tasks such as adjusting refrigerator settings or starting laundry cycles based on user
schedules
Remote Monitoring and Control: Enables users to manage appliances from anywhere via the ThinQ app
Proactive Maintenance: Alerts users about potential problems before they escalate, ensuring timely repairs
Personalization: Uses AI to tailor device operations based on individual habits and preferences.

Benefits of LG ThinQ Smart Home Syste

Convenience: Simplifies daily tasks through automation and remote access
Energy Efficiency: Optimizes appliance usage to reduce energy consumption
Enhanced User Experience: Provides personalized interactions based on AI-driven insights
Cost Savings: Reduces maintenance costs by identifying issues early.

Real-World Impact

LG's ThinQ system exemplifies how IoT can transform living spaces into intelligent environments. Its integration of AI and
IoT fosters a "Zero Labor Home" vision, where homes anticipate needs, adapt to user behaviors, and deliver seamless
comfort.
CASE STUDY : Augmenting inventory management with IoT

Access to contemporary technology is shaping the structure of modern businesses, and the current upsurge in the

implementation of IoT is set to transform how organisations manage their inventory. The incorporation of IoT in inventory

management can help streamline a business’s supply chain by facilitating real-time data access to monitor, optimise, and

manage inventory efficiently. Efficient inventory management can help reduce costs, improve cash flow, boost customer

satisfaction, improve supplier relationships, and more.

Let’s take a closer look at what IoT-based inventory management solutions have to offer.

What is IoT?

IoT, or the Internet of Things, is a network of devices, objects, and systems that connect to the Internet and are capable of

gathering, analysing, and exchanging data. Devices on this network have sensors and software that enable them to share

data, communicate, and complete assigned tasks automatically without human intervention.

What role can IoT play in inventory management?

IoT simplifies the process of monitoring and tracking inventory items by employing RFID technology. You can assign unique

identification numbers to articles and code them into the RFID tags. RFID scanners at various locations throughout the

supply chain can read comprehensive information about these items, such as manufacturing information, model details,

and more. You can instantly update this data to the cloud. Businesses can then use this data to efficiently manage

inventory and even track individual items through the supply chain in real time.

You can direct this data towards predictive analytics, making it possible to foresee demand and manage supply

accordingly. IoT-enabled systems can also ensure that inventory levels never drop beyond a certain level by automatically

sending out orders as required to prevent shortages. A modern IoT-based inventory management system can hence boost

supply chain efficiency, optimise inventory, cut costs, and contribute towards improved customer service.

Benefits of IoT inventory management solutions

IoT systems leverage their connectivity, scalability, and intelligence to enhance the efficacies of inventory management

systems. Let us explore some of the key benefits of incorporating IoT and network inventory management system in

business operations.

Heightened visibility

Businesses can gain detailed insights into various aspects of their inventory, including current stock, the whereabouts of

items, and their status, with real-time inventory tracking. This improved visibility facilitates informed decision-making,

prevents shortages and overstocking, and streamlines inventory management.

Access to accurate inventory data

Manually managing inventory is a time-consuming process that isn’t immune to human errors. IoT-based inventory

management solutions automate data collection to guarantee precise and current inventory data. This precision results in

heightened order accuracy, fewer inconsistencies, and increased customer satisfaction.

Better efficiency and productivity

Businesses that incorporate modern IoT inventory management systems need not worry about manually reviewing stock or

physically searching for inventory items. IoT inventory management solutions speed up inventory management procedures,

decrease the need for extra manpower, and let workers concentrate on higher-value tasks. The outcome of this is

improved performance and productivity, leading to cost savings.

Accurate demand planning

With access to real-time stock data, businesses can pre-emptively detect low-stock scenarios and prompt timely

restocking. This approach minimises instances of stock shortages or missed sales and optimises inventory in response to

changes in demand. Precise demand forecasting results in enhanced customer service and diminished costs associated

with holding inventory.  

Better collaboration across the supply chain

Real-time inventory data encourages smooth cooperation among all entities across the supply chain. Vendors,

manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can use the accurate information at their disposal to make informed decisions,

coordinate production, and enhance logistics to boost overall supply chain efficiency.

Required infrastructure

Before a business can adopt an IoT-based inventory management

system, it must have the necessary infrastructure in place to

support the data transmission and connectivity demands of IoT

technology and devices. Key requirements include

A fast and stable internet connection to aid real-time transfer of

inventory data to the clou

A modern wireless network to transfer data between device

On-premises or cloud-based data processing and storage

capabilities that can handle large amounts of data

It is important to review and upgrade these aspects of your

organisation’s infrastructure before attempting to set up an IoT

inventory management solution.

Real world example: Zara's IoT-Enabled Inventory Management System

Zara, a leading global fashion retailer, has implemented an IoT-based inventory management system to streamline its

operations and improve efficiency. This case study highlights the IoT components, functions, and benefits of Zara's system.

IoT Components in Zara's Inventory Management Syste

RFID Tags

Each item in Zara's inventory is equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. These tags store unique

identifiers for tracking items throughout the supply chain

Smart Shelves

Shelves equipped with IoT sensors monitor stock levels in real-time and alert managers when items need to be

replenished

ERP Integration

The inventory system is integrated with Zara's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, enabling seamless

communication between inventory data and other business processes like sales and procurement

IoT Sensors

Sensors collect data on stock movement , demand patterns, and environmental conditions in warehouses and stores.

Functions of Zara's IoT Inventory Syste

Real-Time Stock Monitoring

RFID tags allow Zara to track item locations and quantities instantly, eliminating manual stock checks

Automated Reordering

When stock levels fall below predefined thresholds, the system automatically triggers reorders to maintain optimal

inventory levels

Demand Forecasting

IoT sensors collect sales data and analyze trends to predict demand, ensuring timely restocking of popular items

Improved Supply Chain Visibility

The system provides end-to-end visibility across Zara’s supply chain, from manufacturing to retail stores.

Benefits of Zara's IoT Inventory Management Syste

Enhanced Accuracy

RFID tags ensure precise tracking of inventory, reducing

errors caused by manual processes

Operational Efficiency

Automated reordering and real-time monitoring reduce the

time and labor required for inventory management

Cost Savings

By optimizing stock levels and preventing overstocking or

stockouts, Zara minimizes waste and associated costs

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Accurate inventory ensures that customers can find desired

products in stores without delays or shortages

Data-Driven Insights

Predictive analytics based on IoT data help Zara make

informed decisions about product allocation and

manufacturing schedules.