First plant-powered sensor sends signal to space

A device that uses electricity generated by plants as its power source has communicated via satellite. A world's first, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Developed by Plant-e and Lacuna Space

The extremely low power device sends signals at radio frequencies that are picked up by satellites in low Earth orbit. It was developed by Dutch company Plant-e and Lacuna Space, which is based in the Netherlands and the UK, under ESA's programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES).

It transmits data on air humidity, soil moisture and temperature, enabling field-by-field reporting from agricultural land, rice fields or other aquatic environments.

Inform farmers about conditions of their crops

According to ESA, the device could inform farmers about the conditions of their crops to help increase yield, and enable retailers to gain detailed information about potential harvests.

Click here for more information and watch the short video.

Photos: Lacuna Space

Source: Future Farming