Your yard is getting smarter, too
The internet of things is coming to your front lawn…literally. The market for devices that can connect your yard may be new, but it’s already rather interesting.
“ It all comes down to sensor technology,” says Lindsey Turrentine, editor-in-chief at CNET.com. “Sensors are getting small and cheap, and now they can be embedded in things like the ‘Eden.’”
The ‘Eden,” Turrentine says, is similar to a large stake that goes into the soil, and is powered by solar energy. Once it’s in the soil, it monitors soil and plants to keep track of nutrients, moisture, and whatever else you may need to know to maintain your yard.
“You can also partner it up with a smart valve,” says Turrentine. The valve connects to a hose or watering device, which helps ‘Eden’ turn on the water when it determines that the plants need water.
What else might be in store for smart yards in the future?
“These companies are just starting to figure out the answers to really tough problems,” says Turrentine. “How do you get your outdoor sensors to work over your home wifi? How do you keep water from damaging these devices?”
As they solve these problems, she says, more such devices will start to appear in the market.
“These things are going to be much more accessible in probably five years, maybe ten,” says Turrentine.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
