Grains

Bean-shaped sensors to monitor grain storages

Grain Central, February 6, 2017

THUMB-SIZED “plastic beans” filled with sensors and tossed into grain bins and storage facilities to monitor grain moisture levels could be the next frontier in precision agriculture technology.

020617 Bean shaped sensors for silo monitoring picCurrently in testing, Beanlot sensor “beans” are charged wirelessly and send a signal to a smartphone or remote hub when they read measurements outside normal conditions.

Each device has a common array of environmental sensors, which, when combined with low-power wide-area networks, collects big data and works with cloud services for analysis.

They will only send out information when necessary, staying dormant and conserving energy until then. If a problem exists, the bean wakes its neighbours and sends out wireless alerts.

The beans are not only a fit for grain bins and storages. They can be reassigned as sensors for use in a livestock shed, chemical shed, honeybee hive or agricultural equipment.

Using location tracking, a bean could be placed in or under equipment so if machinery leaves the farm property, the remaining beans sound the alarm and send the owner instant alerts.

To read more, go to the IBM website: https://www.ibm.com/blogs/internet-of-things/internet-of-beans/

Source: IBM

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