Need Statement:

There is a need for a low-cost, automated, AI-based smart machine that can detect soil fertility, apply the required amount of fertilizer, and sow seeds at proper depth and spacing for small and marginal farmers in India, within a budget of Rs. 5000/-.

3.1 QUESTION AND ANSWER

sl no.	Questions	Answers	Objective	Function	Constraint
1	How is the seed and fertilizer wasting minimized?	Using precise amounts of seeds and fertilizer by AI algorithm		✔
2	How will the machine detect soil moisture and nutrients level?	Using soil moisture sensors		✔
3	How can feild monitoring accessable remotely to user	By using WIFI and Bluetooth to display data on a app	✔
4	How can we maximize soil fertility detection accuracy?	with Live feedback from soil sensors	✔
5	How does the machine capture soil data for analysis	with Camera to capture live surface images		✔
6	How can the machine maintain equal spacing between seeds?	By controlling the movement of the sowing mechanism		✔
7	What limitation should be considered regarding the prototype's weight?	lightweight	✔
8	What limitation shoud be considered regarding component availability?	components available in local market			✔
9	How can the user identify the condition of the soil remotely?	By viewing sensor readings and images on a connected device		✔
10	How can the machine maintain consisitent sowing performance?	By sensors and programmed motor control	✔
11	What is the main goal of this project ?	maintain suitable conditions for healthy plant growth	✔
12	What limits the automatic fertilizer application?	sensor,accuracy,system cost			✔
13	How can the system reduce fertiliser wastage?	Apply fertiliser when required	✔
14	What should the system achieve ?	detect low nutrient levels	✔
15	How does the system decide whether fertilizer is needed?	measured nutrient values are compared with predefined ranges of plant		✔
16	Will this project be harmful to any natural resources?	we are using rechargable battery hence no pollution is created.	✔
17	Time duration of the working model ?	It depends on the battery capacity , max 3 hrs.			✔
18	Is AI Camera really required?	It captures the photo of soil and detects the type and sense the moisture of the soil		✔
19	is it user friendly	yes	✔
20	How do you store seeds?	Using hopper			✔

3.2 BASIC SURVEY AND REQUIREMENTS

A. Basic Survey Conducted:

1. Farmer Survey (4 farmers near Tarihal, Hubli): 100% farmers do manual hand sowing. 0% do soil testing before sowing. They said if a small machine under Rs. 10,000 can do soil check and sowing, they will buy.
2. Market Survey (Durgad Bail, Hubli + Robu.in): Tractor seed drill costs Rs. 85,000. ESP32-CAM costs Rs. 650, BO motor Rs. 150, SG90 servo Rs. 150. This proves low-cost robot is possible.
3. Lab Survey (Mechatronics Lab): L298N driver, plywood scrap, PVC pipes are available. 18650 cells can be reused from old power banks.

B. Requirements Collected:

1. Cost must be < Rs. 5000.
2. Weight must be < 5 kg so farmer can carry it.
3. Must run on battery, no AC power in field.
4. Must detect fertility without costly chemical sensor - use camera AI method
5. Must have two separate hoppers - one for fertilizer, one for seed.
6. Must be simple to operate - one switch ON, it moves and dispenses .

3.3 IDENTIFYING CLIENT'S OBJECTIVES

From survey, client's objectives are:

1. Low cost (Main objective - Rs. 5000)
2. Light weight and portable
3. Automatic operation with minimal human effort
4. On-the-spot soil fertility detection using AI camera
5. Variable-rate fertilizer dispensing - more fertilizer where soil is poor, less where soil is rich
6. Proper seed spacing (15-20cm)
7. Battery operated and reusable
8. Made from recycled / locally available materials

PROBLEM DEFINATION

PROBLEM DEFINITION VERSION 1.1

Design and develop a low-cost, portable, battery-operated robot that can detect soil fertility using camera and perform fertilizer dispensing and seed sowing in a single pass to help small farmers.

PROBLEM DEFINITION VERSION 1.2

Design and develop a low-cost, portable, battery-operated robot that can detect soil fertility using camera and perform fertilizer dispensing and seed sowing in a single pass to help small farmers, with low-cost (< Rs. 5000), light weight (< 5kg), size<1.5ft^3, soil sensor for soil fertility estimation , separate hoppers for variable-rate fertilizer and seed dispensing, fabricated using plywood and plastic hoppers.

PROBLEM DEFINITION VERSION 1.3

Design and develop a low-cost, portable, battery-operated robot that can detect soil fertility using camera and perform fertilizer dispensing and seed sowing in a single pass to help small farmers, with low-cost (< Rs. 5000), light weight (< 5kg), size<1.5ft^3, soil sensor for soil fertility estimation , separate hoppers for variable-rate fertilizer and seed dispensing, fabricated using plywood and plastic hoppers. A semi-automated plant nursery and develop a low-cost, lightweight, portable, battery-operated automated plant nursery machine that detects soil fertility and moisture levels, performs seed sowing, and dispenses fertilizer when required. The machine should use sensors to monitor soil conditions, maintain proper seed spacing and sowing depth, and provide readings on an LED display. It should minimize seed and fertilizer wastage, operate consistently for up to 3 hours, and support efficient plant growth. The prototype should use an Arduino Uno, stepper motor, soil fertility sensor, tray, rechargeable solar battery, and LED display, with a budget of ₹5,000 and a compact size suitable for small farmers.