this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2024
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Hydroponics

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RootMaster is a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W-based hydroponic automation system (www.cnx-software.com)
submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I was wondering why this would need the power of a Pi for a basic control application. It seems it’s just used as a user interface for programming the MCU that actually controls the system.

While STM32 handles hardware-level tasks, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W manages high-level control and user interaction. The RootMaster can be programmed with Python, C, C++, or other programming languages and is useful for applications like Hydroponics automation, water circulation, and environmental control.

It would be a lot cheaper without the Pi and just an interface to hook it up to something like HomeAssistant so you could program multiple of these from a central location.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I mean, the biggest thing they're using is their own board, which is only that big because it includes inputs for a big range of inputs on one board instead of using multiple nodemcus, one for each sensor. And to be fair, the Pi Zero 2 WH is dwarfed in comparison to their board, in size and in price. Its 55$ and the pi zero 2 wh is 15$, which is not nothing, but not that bad. They don't sell their kits with a raspberry and they provide their own Grow Control Application: https://gitlab.com/openhydroponics/sw/openhydroponics#introduction

I like the option of the pi for data centralization (otherwise I'd need to create a Server) and providing a Grow Flower Control app is great.

But you have a valid point, sth like a home assistant integration (on top) could be nice. If you'd use it if something about this was different and have input on more (cost) efficient solutions for an API, give the devs a message. Software and hardware are open source, just create an issue.

Looks like a cool project imo

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It does look like a cool project, and being open source is the first thing I look for in a device like this. I didn't mean to sound overly negative, was just sharing the first thought that came to mind.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Yeah, no worries! :)