Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation Vol. 3 No.
1 (2022) 643-652
© Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Publisher’s Office
MARI
Homepage: [Link]
e-ISSN :2773-4773
Automatic Plant Watering System
Muhammad Izzan Shahidan1, Muhammad Harith Isma
Jamsari1, Muhamad Amirul Amin Mohd Aminnudin1,
Noraniah Kassim1,2*, Hafsa Mohammad Noor1,2, Mohd Najib
Janon1,2
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Diploma Studies,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), Pagoh Education Hub, KM
1, Jalan Panchor, 84600 Panchor, Johor, MALAYSIA
2
Sustainable Product Development (S-PRouD), Centre for Diploma Studies,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), Pagoh Education Hub, KM
1, Jalan Panchor, 84600 Panchor, Johor, MALAYSIA
*Corresponding Author Designation
DOI: [Link]
Received 30 September 2021; Accepted 30 November 2021; Available online 15 February
2022
Abstract: This paper presents an automatic plant watering system based on ESP-
WROOM-32 module with ESP32‑D0WDQ6 chip or it is called ESP32 for home,
office, and small uses. This system is easy to control than manual in the watering
plant's process. In daily operations related to farming or gardening watering are the
most important cultural practice and the most labour-intensive task. Growing a plant
has always been a favorite activity for people around the globe but taking care of it is
a different story to unfold. The lack of essential things for plants such as water,
fertilizer, and sunlight can fail the process of growth of a plant. Most people forget
about this when they have a busy schedule for the entire week, or they are not home.
This device should be capable to water the plant automatically at a specified time,
used ESP-WROOM-32 module with ESP32‑D0WDQ6 chip to operate the whole
system. This system is targeted at people who have a tight daily schedule. It is
completely practical for home-usage. An automatic plant watering system is the
solution to replace manual activities in the watering plant. For the application of an
automatic plant watering system, it used combinations of water pumps, filters,
nozzles, and pipes. This project uses the ESP32 microcontroller which the Arduino
control system coding of this device was developed through C ++ programming to
sense the moisture content is less than the limit predefined. Then, it will start
supplying the desired amount of water until it reaches the limit. When the soil is dry,
the pump will automatically be watering the fields and when the soil is wet the pump
will automatically switch off, thereby eradicate the need for manpower and conserve
time.
Keywords: Automatic, Watering, System, ESP32, Small, Plants
*Corresponding author: noraniah@[Link]
2022 UTHM Publisher. All rights reserved.
[Link]/periodicals/[Link]/mari
M.I Shahidan et al., Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation Vol. 3 No. 1 (2022) p. 643-652
1. Introduction
Growing a plant has always been a favorite activity for people in this world. A plant can give a lot
of benefits in many aspects. the impact of indoor and outdoor plants on their emotional welfare
considering behavioural, social, and demographic variables. The emotional state was neutral and a
significant proportion expressed positive emotions. Having indoor plants was correlated with more
positive emotions, and confined inhabitants allocated more time for plant maintenance [2]. It also
teaches people to be disciplined in taking care of the plant. Lack of water, fertilizers, and sunlight for
the plant [1] can fail the process of growth of a plant. People should not forget that plants and trees give
them green and fresh enviroment [3]. Even though thoughts on having beautiful plants inside their
places are beautiful, there are some responsibilities that one must fulfill to let the plants live for a long
period and being great prosperous. Watering the plant is one of the responsibilities when one is planning
to grow a plant or a tree. People may not have the time to constantly take care of a plant to let it live in
a great condition. Even if a person wants to grow plants, they still have jobs to attend to or are far away
from home for a long period that can drain out their energy and time hence incapable of taking care of
their plants.
This is where the Automatic Plant Watering System [4] comes into play. It provides a system where
it helps the people that could not give the attention needed for a plant to grow. Automatic Plant Watering
System able to identify the plants’ conditions and provide the plants’ needs automatically. The product
aims to give users the best assistance on giving the best care for people’s plants without having to be
present near their plants. The principle of this invention is to create and design an ergonomic device [5]
for small uses such as an office and in a room. This device should be powered with ESP-WROOM-32
module with ESP32‑D0WDQ6 chip [6]. This system will have a wireless network or timer to water the
plan according to time and with the exact amount of water that the plants needed. In addition, a gateway
unit handles sensor information, triggers actuators, and transmits data to a web application. An
algorithm will be developed with the threshold amount of water that plants needed and timer to water
accordingly. All of the algorithms will be programmed into a micro-controller based on the motor that
will be operated with the help of ESP32 [7] and the sensor involved. After making initial proposals for
the design concept, the design details are developed virtual by generating part drawings and assemblies
using SolidWorks software 2019 [8]. Finally the fabrication process is carried out based on the design
results and material selection [9].
2. Materials and Method
The materials and methods section, otherwise known as methodology, describes all the necessary
information that is required to obtain the results of the study. In this paper, the methods only presenting
for virtual design and suggestion material for fabrication.
2.1 Suggestion of materials
Table 2: The suggested material for the system part
Item Materials System Parts Characteristic & Function
1. Hardwood Frames Low maintenance and high resistant
2. Poly Methyl Acrylic panel Lightweight and optical clarity as a
methacrylate shield for plants
3. Silicone Tube Low odour and appropriate as
transferring tube
4, Thermoformed Plastic Arduino Bank, water Low cost, high durability, and
tank lightweight
5. Stainless Steel Hinge and Pin, Net Corrosion-resistant.
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Table 2 shows the suggested material for incoming fabrication for the Automatic Plant Watering
System. These materials were selected referring to their ability and suitability to each machine part in
terms of character and function
2.2 Housing designed by using SolidWorks 2019 Software.
The housing of Automatic Plant Watering System are designed using SolidWorks 2019. Figure 1
below shows some of the parts was illustrated by this software. Figure 1 (a) shows a hinged door for
our automatic watering system. This is the entrance for the plant inside the chamber. This part design
starts with a sketch of a 2 cm × 4 cm square and extrudes it for 0.3 cm depth using a mid-lane direction.
Next, create a 0.5 cm diameter circle that is attached with extruded part and extrude it for 1 cm depth
and linear pattern it for 2 with 2 cm spacing. Then, draw 3 0.3 cm diameter circles on the extruded part
and extrude cut all the way. Figure 1 (b) shows the hinge door pin used to assemble the complete hinge
door. Figure 1 (c) shows a wood liner part that has been designed to sketch a 50 cm × 30 cm square
and extruded it for 5.20 cm depth and then sketch 46 cm × 26 cm square on the top of it and extrude cut
it. At the front, create a 4.20 cm ×46 cm and extrude cut it all the way. At the sides, create a 4.20 cm ×
26 cm square and extrude cut it all the way. Figure 1 (d), net was created with sketch a 50 cm × 30 cm
square and extrude it for 1.0 cm depth. Next, draw a 0.20 diameter circle and extrude it for 50 cm depth.
After that, linear pattern it for 0.9 cm spacing and 54 instances. Next, create a 0.20 cm diameter circle
and extrude it for 30 cm depth. And then repeat the same step as mentioned before. Last, create a 2.0
cm × 2.0 cm square at each corner and extrude cut it all the way.
Figure 1 (e) shows a silicone tube that was designed to sketch a 0.5 cm diameter circle and extrude
it for 10 cm depth. Next use flex 2.0 from the end of both sides. Next, Figure 1 (f) is a water tray that
has been created with sketch 45 cm × 25 cm square and extrude for 5 cm depth and then create another
square that is smaller than the first square and extrude cut it to create a container-shaped like. For the
sides, it is 1 cm. All of the fillets on the tray are 1 cm radius. Next, Figure 1 (g) is a water pump. To
create this part, draw a circle with a diameter of 2.3 cm and extrude it until it reaches 4.5 cm in length.
then cut-extrude a 0.5 cm hole at the center of the circle. Then draw a circle with a diameter of 0.75 cm
at the side of the part and extrude until it reaches 2cm. then make a 0.3 cm shell at the circle. last make
a fillet at each side of the part to get a better result.
Figure 1 (h) is the main part of the wood is attached to the Perspex. This part was designed to
sketch a 30 cm X 30 cm square and extrude it for 50 cm depth. For the triangle, 16 cm height and 30
cm width. So, the 50 cm end lines were connected to the height and then extrude for 50 cm. Next, 2 cm
from each side of each shape are sketch (square) and extruded cut to create the extrude cut for each part.
Figure (j) is triangle roof Perspex with the height of 13.40 cm and width 28 cm and the extrude for 0.2
cm depth. Figure 1 (k) is the front Perspex part with 28 cm × 28 cm square and extrude for 0.2 cm
depth. Furthermore, in Figure 1 (l), the rectangle roof Perspex was designed to draw a 19.21 cm × 48
cm square and extrude it for 0.2 cm depth. Last but not least is an Arduino bank to keep all of the
electronics inside it as shown in Figure 1 (m). This part was sketched with a 10 cm × 10 cm square and
extrude for 10 cm depth and use a shell of 0.1 cm. For the airflow, extruded cut 1 cm × 0.5 cm square
and make a linear pattern for 0.4 spacing and 4 instances.
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Figure 1: System part drawn by SolidWorks 2019 (a) door’s hinger, (b) hinge pin, (c) wood liner, (d) net,
(e) silicone tube, (f) water tank/tray, (g) water pump, (h) side Perspex, (i) main part of wood, (j) roof
Perspex (triangular), (k) front Perspex, (j) roof Perspex (rectangular), (m) Arduino bank
2.3 Assembly part of Automatic Plant Watering System
(a) (b)
Figure 2: Assembly part of Automatic watering system, (a) full assembly, (b) Exploded view.
Figure 2 (a) shows all the parts and components are assembled by using SolidWorks 2019
Software. First things first, the base for this product was inserted and attached with the water tank/tray.
Then the wood panels were attached based on the selected design as it will form the frame of this
product. Next, the net was placed at the bottom of this product and attached. Furthermore, the
compartment which contains Arduino Uno and water Pump was placed at the back of the main parts.
Finally, the acrylic panels were attached to the outer side of the frame. The diagram above shows the
complete design and assembly for the Automatic Plant Watering System. Figure 2 (b) shows the
exploded view is generated in the assembly portion have 13 different parts were used to reach the final
product. Table 3 shows the parts description of the Automatic Plant Watering System.
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Table 3: Parts description of Automatic Plant Watering System
Item Parts Description
1 Water tank Store water
2 Arduino bank Place Arduino Uno, battery, and pump
3 Hinge Attach the top part with the body
4 Perspex Protect the plant
5 Frame Housing to store plant
6 Net Let the excessive water flow back into the tank
7 Wate pump Move water from the tank to plants
2.4 Electrical components
Figure 3 shows all the components for the electrical parts for this project. This project could not be
done without some electrical touch. It needs a brain to tell it to pump the water, hence these items were
used to make a system to make it smart just like it expected to be.
Figure 3: shows the electrical components, (a) Lithium Battery, (b) Pump motor PCB circuit
board, (c) ESP32 Microcontroller, (d) Soil Moisture Sensor, (e) Buck DC-DC Voltage Module, (f)
Lithium Battery Charger Module, (g) Relay Module
2.5 Fabrication process
The fabrication process of the automatic watering system has been divided into three. They are
wiring with water tank installation and frame fabrication process. Firstly, woods are cut using the
grinding machine to produce the frame of this model. All the woods are placed and joined together.
During this process, nuts and screws of appropriate size are used to attach the parts based on the selected
design. Next part process, the housing for the water pump and Arduino Uno board are designed and
attached with the main part. Then, the silicone tube was cut with proper length and few tiny holes were
punched through the tube and attached to the framework to make the sprinkling effect while water is
supplied before it was connected properly to the water pump and the tank. Next, the top part of this
project relates to the main part using the hinge as it was screwed into the frame. Finally, the acrylic
panels are attached to the frame.
2.5.1Wiring with water tank installation process
Figure 4 shows the wiring process for this project. The plan for this electrical part was to have a
system that will give water to the plants when it’s the correct timing. The rough idea is to have a system
to be the gate or valve for the water to be let out. The valve will be opened when it is told. Figure 4(a)
shows the complete system that has been equipped with all the components and was installed at its
housing inside the Arduino bank. Figure 4(b) shows a light notification that has been installed in this
system as it will light up to notify the user when it senses the low humidity of soil. This light was
installed to make it easier for the user to identify that the system is working as it should, and to make
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the project have a better look and impact. Figure 4(c) shows the installation process of the voltage out
from the charger module to voltage into the buck converter. Figure 4(d) shows the high-capacity battery
that was used to supply enough power for this system. Figure 5 shows the circuit diagram for the
Automatic Plant watering System.
Figure 4: Wiring and water tank installation, (a) quick overall look for the wiring process, (b) the
installation of the light notification system, (c) connection between charger module and a buck converter,
(d) installation of battery
Figure 5: Circuit diagram for Automatic Plant Watering System [8]
2.5.2 Housing fabrication process
Referring to the picture planned in designing this product, the outer housing is made using woods
and nails to obtain the structure. There are three main parts for the housing which are the roof, body,
and four stands that will act as the legs for the structure. The nails that are used are about 20mm long
and enough to connect two pieces of wood. Figure 6 shows the fabrication process for the wood and
hammering parts for this project. The figures show step by step how the process was regulated. Figure
6 (a) shows the process of measuring the wood pieces into wanted lengths. This is vital to be focused
on as wrong measurements could lead to an unbalanced structure and may cause the whole arrangement
to collapse when pressure or force is applied to the wood pieces. In Figure 6 (b) the tools such as
hammer and nails, and wood pieces are ready in place and about to get into the process of hammering.
Next, the process is undergoing the process of connecting the wood pieces as shown in Figure 6 (c).
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Figure 6: The process of nailing and hammering for the Housing part
3. Result and Discussion
3.1 Water flow schematic for the automatic watering system
Figure 7 shows the schematic diagram of water flow in this Automatic Watering System. it is the
structure of the project and for figure (b), it is the full water tank with ESP32 box below it.
Figure 7: Flow watering system with the actual design
3.2 ESP-WROOM-32 module with ESP32‑D0WDQ6 chip control system programming
Figure 8(a) shows the coding flowchart before prepare programming. Figure 8(b) shows
programming script has been established for output display for this tool. When the ESP32 receives a
logic high signal from the wireless internet connection, it will inform the user by turning on the first
beep. To control the motor and overall operation, the Automatic watering System used an ESP32
microcontroller under a relay control switch in the project. The motor can be powered by an external
3000 mAh battery connected to the microcontroller.
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(a) (b)
Figure 8: ESP-WROOM-32 module with ESP32‑D0WDQ6 chip control system programming (a)
Flowchart coding preparation (b) programming code
3.3 Functionality of Sensor
Table 4: Soil Moisture Level Sensor Functionality
Soil Moisture Indication Water Pump Level Notification
Wet (<50) Low NOT SENT
Dry (>50) High SENT
Wet (<50) Low NOT SENT
Dry (>50) High SENT
This is the result of the watering device after 4 times as shown in Table 4. There are soil moisture
indications, water pump level, and notification that are observed in the test. From the first test, the
notification is not sent because of the wet (<50) soil condition. This immediately set the water pump
level to low. From the second test, the condition of the soil is dry (>50). Therefore, the water pump is
automatically on a high level thus the system waters the plant inside, and the notification is sent to the
owner. Both conditions, wet (<50) and Dry (>50) are repeated to check if the system did have an error.
3.4 Comparison of watering system
They are characteristic are obtained from design and analysis results in different watering plats
techniques.
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Table 5: Comparison of characteristics for different Watering System/Devices
Automatic Watering Manually Easy2Grow Moisture Automatic
System/Devices Autopod Matic Plant
Item [6] Automatic Watering
Watering System
Characteristics System [7]
1 Provide Water Water Water Water
2 Technology Hose/Sprinkler Gravity Sponge Wick ESP32 &
Gravity
3 Interaction Human Power None None Special
Application
4 Capacity of Water (Liter) N/A 8.5 - 15 0.35 – 0.75 0.5
5 Tool Cost (MYR) 50 603.60 44.75 – 49.74 58
6 Time for the water to travel Depends on 15 5 5
from tank to plant (Second) human & hose
7 Portable to anywhere No Yes Yes Yes
8 Power source N/A Electric Electric Battery
9 Saving space No No Yes Yes
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, this innovation provides a good solution for home use which requires lower cost and
is easy to operate. This system has been proven to accomplish all the main goal to help the working
people which has a tight daily schedule. This system will sense the humidity of the soil and notify the
user to water the plant. Therefore, this invention will help the user by watering the plant by itself. It is
such a convenient and efficient way to help this type of person. It is so beneficial to those who have a
tight schedule, are busy with their work, and don’t have much time at home but still wanting to have
the landscape in the house or outside of the house. This is because the moisture sensor can sense if the
humidity of the soil and the timer automatically water the plant as the timer is set up. The
recommendation that can suggest it can also be built bigger if the plant that the owner have bigger
plants.
Acknowledgment
The authors would also like to thank the Centre for Diploma Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn
Malaysia for its support.
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