Hydroponics and Crop Management System

Contents

  1. ABOUT
  2. IDEA OVERVIEW
  3. THE PROBLEM
  4. THE SOLUTION
  5. USER NEEDS
  6. PERSONAS
  7. STORYBOARDS
  8. WORKFLOW
  9. LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
  10. HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPE

ABOUT

The Demeter Hydroponics, Farming, and Crop Management System offers a robust solution for advancing research and experimenting with sustainable food production on Mars, with the potential for future scalability.

This system is vital for supporting extended missions and future colonization, tackling the unique challenges of cultivating crops in Mars' harsh environment.

Its core purpose is to provide an intuitive interface for managing and documenting hydroponic crop research in controlled habitats, promoting efficient resource utilization and maximizing crop productivity.

IDEA OVERVIEW

Demeter is a conceptual hydroponics and crop management system envisioned for Martian colonies. Designed to navigate the challenges of extraterrestrial farming, it combines automation, modular functionality and an intuitive interface to support diverse user groups.

It is designed to cater to agricultural specialists conducting advanced research to general crew members managing day-to-day operations. Demeter seeks to harmonize technology, resource efficiency and user accessibility to facilitate sustainable food production on Mars.

THE PROBLEM

Mars' surface presents significant challenges to traditional farming. The absence of fertile soil, extremely low atmospheric pressure, frigid temperatures and lack of liquid water make Earth-based agricultural methods unfeasible. Furthermore, future colonists cannot rely on consistent supplies of fresh food from Earth, making the development of a self-sustaining food production system essential for survival.

Agriculture’s sensitivity to environmental factors, coupled with the limited understanding of plant behavior in Martian conditions, adds complexity to the task. The fundamental challenge is to create a highly efficient and adaptable agricultural system capable of thriving in an environment with scarce resources, limited knowledge, unpredictable conditions, and no natural support for plant growth.

THE SOLUTION

Demeter addresses this challenge by offering a modular hydroponics, farming and crop management system tailored to diverse user needs.

For specialists, it provides detailed data visualization and control for in-depth research and resource management.

For general crew members and colonists, it incorporates intuitive workflows, clear visuals, and the assistance of Martin, an AI assistant, to guide non-experts through essential tasks.

Demeter’s automated processes and manual override options offer flexibility to accommodate varying levels of technological and agricultural knowledge, supporting food production in a complex Martian environment.

USER NEEDS

The first group, scientists and specialists, focuses on advancing agricultural practices in the Martian environment. Their tasks involve studying plant growth under altered conditions such as reduced gravity and limited resources, analyzing the progress of crops, and documenting successes, failures, and the quality of the produce. Additionally, they observe how general crew members interact with the system, evaluating its usability and the overall viability of the harvest. A critical aspect of their role is compiling and sharing detailed findings with Earth-based mission agencies, requiring streamlined tools for efficient reporting and data transmission.

The second group, general crew members, will most likely lack expertise in farming and agriculture. For them, the system must simplify complex processes, offering intuitive controls, clear guidance and robust assistance to ensure effective operation. Demeter’s design prioritizes accessibility, minimizing learning curves to enable non-specialists to contribute to food production with ease.

PERSONAS

USER: SCIENTIST / SPECIALIST

DR. OAK

Profession: Agriculture Scientist
Location: Mars Colony
Technological Proficiency: Average

Dr. Oak is a member of a group of agricultural scientists stationed on Mars. Their primary responsibility is conducting research to explore the potential for sustainable food production in extraterrestrial environments. Their work involves studying how crops adapt to Martian conditions, testing various farming techniques and documenting findings for future missions and Earth-based agricultural advancements.

While sustainability is the long-term goal, their focus is experimental and investigative rather than operational or production-focused. While the scientists are  highly knowledgeable in their field they may not be particularly adept with complex technology, making ease of use a critical aspect of their tools.

USER: GENERAL CREW / COLONIST

MISSION SPECIALIST SPROUT

Profession: Colony Engineer
Location: Mars Colony
Technological Proficiency: Advanced

Sprout represents the general crew and future colonists on Mars who will have to manage basic farming tasks using Demeter fo their personal use. While their primary goal is to grow food for immediate consumption, the process is experimental, aiming to refine techniques for future scalability. These users lack specialized agricultural knowledge, relying heavily on the app's guidance, automation, and support systems. Their involvement contributes valuable observational data that informs agricultural research conducted by specialists like Dr. Oak.

IDEA OVERVIEW

Demeter is a conceptual hydroponics, farming and crop management system designed for Martian colonies. It features a multi-user interface to support efficient food production and resource management in a challenging extraterrestrial environment.