EcoPod
3D Printed Hydroponic | Individual Sustainability Project April 2024 - May 2024
Skills Keywords
Sketching, Prototyping, Modeling, Rendering, 3D Printing Form Study | Product Design | Form follows function
Tools
Miro, Procreate, Prusa 3D Printer, Solidworks, Keyshot, Photoshop
Background
Amidst the challenges of accessing fertile soil for agricultural purposes, indoor hydroponic gardening is an alternative method for cultivating crops to sustain human consumption and ensure a sustainable and accessible source of fresh produce.
Concept
A compact, disassemblable, cheap, and easy-to-build and clean hydroponic system with an interchangeable energy source.
Project Statement
WHO
People who could benefit from growing plants indoors, and for people who live in places where it might be difficult to source soil, or don’t have space outdoors to grow fresh produce.
People who could benefit from growing plants indoors, and for people who live in places where it might be difficult to source soil, or don’t have space outdoors to grow fresh produce.
WHERE
Indoor, domestic housing locations. Could be placed in an educational setting to develop gardens, or someone’s living space.
Indoor, domestic housing locations. Could be placed in an educational setting to develop gardens, or someone’s living space.
WHEN
Useful to users who need an alternative to sourcing fresh produce or when there isn’t any accessible soil to grow healthy plants.
Useful to users who need an alternative to sourcing fresh produce or when there isn’t any accessible soil to grow healthy plants.
WHY
Much easier to build and assemble hydroponic system compared to the ones seen on the market, parts can all be found nearby and made with a 3D printer.
Much easier to build and assemble hydroponic system compared to the ones seen on the market, parts can all be found nearby and made with a 3D printer.
Defining the Users
How it works:
Refilling the water
Removing Solar Panels & Recharging Under the Sun
Pull open the pod's magnetically attached base to access the pump and water container. Use any watering can to fill the container to its maximum capacity. Be sure to remove the lid before refilling.
Manually remove the solar panel battery from the lid using the notch and place it under a light source to recharge for a few hours. Swap between batteries to keep the EcoPod running continuously.
Rendering Mock-up of the EcoPod
A compact, disassemblable hydroponic system with an interchangeable energy source aims to help individuals grow plants indoors, especially those living in areas where soil is difficult to obtain or outdoor space is limited. This system provides an alternative solution for sourcing fresh produce when traditional soil-based gardening is not feasible.With a circulating water source, the plants grow on its own inside the pod, providing users with fresh produce inside their homes.
