MIT student designs gardening robots that could grow produce for astronauts on Mars
A NASA fellow and aerospace engineering student at the University of Colorado has invented a robot and artificial intelligence system that’s may open new avenues for space exploration and habitation. Heather Hava won the $15,000 “Eat it!” Lemelson-MIT undergraduate prize for her robotic gardeners, and now she hopes to raise $150,000 to fund further development of the product through her company Autoponics.One of Hava’s inventions is a smart pot called SPOT: a soilless, hydroponic pod capable of growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables — everything from strawberries to tomatoes and leafy greens. The nutrient-rich water filters into a reservoir, and the system is designed to monitor the garden as it grows so astronauts can focus on other tasks. Sensors track each plant’s vital signs and resources, gauging water…
Link to Full Article: MIT student designs gardening robots that could grow produce for astronauts on Mars
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