TaMi Automatics, in cooperation with Räpina Horticultural School in Estonia, has built an innovative greenhouse simulator, controlled by Priva Compass automation.
The simulator allows students to create strategies for five different greenhouses at once. With this system, students can simulate and visualize heating, irrigation, humidification, ventilation, lighting and air circulation. The greenhouse has moving roof ventilation on both sides, also top and side curtains. Heating, irrigation and top lights are illuminated using different LED-s. In addition there are 2 air circulation fans per greenhouse.
“The idea is not to grow plants inside but to allow students to learn everything about plant growth. With the simulator, they can accelerate plant development and simulate different growing conditions. We are also planning to use VR glasses for that purpose,” says Mirko Metsaoru, CEO of TaMi Automatics. Together with Tamar Nassar, he developed and built the simulator. “Now we can teach agronomists some experience without having to work years and gain experience only from real-life situations.”
Adjust inside and outside climate
Everything is simulated by the TaMi Automatics computer, so no sensors are needed. The computer acts as a sensor for the Priva controller. Not only the inside climate is simulated, but also outside climate conditions can be simulated and adjusted. Teachers can change the outside weather conditions to help students adapt to many different circumstances.
“What is so great about this simulator is that it enables us to study greenhouse automation without the fear of damaging crop yields. In my view, simulators are an excellent tool not just for horticultural education programs, but also for companies, who can use the simulator to develop new strategies or educate staff,” Mirko adds
TaMi Automatics is a company that specializes in plant growing automation and innovation. “We take automation one step further by combining sensors/ controllers/ software with existing automation or adding new automation systems according to client real needs. Basically we use systems by manufacturers all over the world and make them communicate with each other so that the grower has all the info for optimum plant growth,” Mirko explains. The company builds simulators in cooperation with different companies, such as Priva, Anjou Automation, and Sercom. Their simulators can be adjusted for individual customers' needs.
For more information:
TaMi Automatics
Mirko Metsaoru
mirko@tamiautomatics.com
www.tamiautomatics.com