AeroTower
Project Info
Methodology
Summary
AeroTower is a Progressive Web App (PWA) designed for the remote management and monitoring of hydroponic towers. It empowers urban farmers and hobbyists to track real-time data from their towers and receive intelligent recommendations through an integrated AI assistant.
The Challenge
Hydroponic systems can be complex to maintain, requiring constant monitoring of water, light, and nutrient levels. Users often feel overwhelmed by raw data and unsure of when to take specific actions.
The Goal: To translate complex IoT sensor data into a simple, actionable dashboard and use AI to provide smart maintenance suggestions.
Key Features & UI Logic
Device Fleet Overview (The "Towers" Page)
Users can monitor multiple towers at once. I designed a summary card for each tower (e.g., AQ-245032, AQ-873456) showing critical health indicators:
- Connection Status: Green/Red indicators.
- Active Notifications: Messaging icon with counts.
- Key Metrics: Power (88%) and Sunlight (62%) exposure.
Real-Time Telemetry (Detailed View)
When selecting a specific tower, the user enters a detailed control room. I prioritized clarity by using a grid of icon-based cards for:
Environment Metrics:
Temperature (24°C), Humidity (46%).
Nutrient Levels:
N-3452 (10%) and N-65 (76%) indicators.
Hardware Toggles:
Manual controls for the solar panel, water pump, and lighting.
AI-Powered Maintenance (AQUAii)
To move from "monitoring" to "managing," I introduced AQUAii, an AI assistant that analyzes tower data to generate a dynamic TODO list.
Smart Suggestions
Instead of the user guessing, AQUAii suggests tasks like "Take a weekly photo" or "Filling the plant food supplement tank" based on real-time nutrient drops.
Action-Oriented
Each task has a clear CTA (Submit/Done) to ensure the tower remains in peak condition.
Design Considerations: PWA Efficiency
Since this is a PWA, the design focused on:
Accessibility: Large touch targets for hardware toggles, essential for users who might be physically interacting with their towers while using the app.
Information Hierarchy: Using color-coded statuses (Green for optimal, Red/Orange for low levels) to allow users to scan the health of their farm in seconds.
The Impact
Reduced Cognitive Load
Users no longer need to interpret raw numbers; the AI tells them exactly what to do.
Increased Success Rate
Automation of maintenance reminders leads to healthier crops and fewer system failures.
Scalability
The "Towers" overview allows users to scale from one to dozens of units without increased management complexity.