The Gardin Sensor
Unlike existing monitoring systems, the Gardin sensor autonomously measures the physiology of many plants in real time. Gardin has adapted Chlorophyll Fluorescence, a powerful laboratory technique for monitoring photosynthesis, making it affordable and scalable for glasshouse growers.
From Zero
Utilizing end-to-end user flows to identify hardware requirements, software touchpoints, and draft product specifications, we developed an observation protocol to systematically understand the installation process and ensure the sensor is easy to install and maintain by regular farm employees without special tools. Gardin’s installation process emphasizes a plug-and-play approach to avoid high technical installation costs, and is robust enough to withstand environmental conditions in glasshouses, requiring minimal maintenance.
Building prototypes to gain real-world operating insights and test hypotheses early, our first iteration revealed environmental conditions, highlighted hardware assumption limitations, and identified critical software platform components essential for delivering a monetizable service.
To One
Leveraging lessons from our field observations to spec the real sensor, we engaged an industrial design firm, provided them with specifications, and proceeded through several iterations to develop a sensor that meets UL and EU certifications for European and North American markets. Through progressive versioning, we’ve created a final product that is based on real-world observations and practical usability to bring profound value to our clients.
