Intelligent IoT System for Greenhouse Automation (SIOTIN), funded by UEFISCDI under the PTE Transfer to Economic Operator axis for the period 2025 – 2027.
SIOTIN aims to develop a greenhouse automation product to support sustainable agriculture. The project’s objective is to optimize resource usage and enhance both productivity and crop quality in greenhouses through state-of-the-art technologies. It will develop an integrated monitoring and control system consisting of:
- Multisensor nodes for monitoring microclimate parameters,
- Actuator nodes for controlling greenhouse processes,
- A base station for communication between nodes,
- A web platform integrated with a mobile application, operating autonomously through an intelligent decision-making process.
Contract No. 35PTE/2025
- Program Name (PV IV): Program 5.7 Partnership for Innovation
- Subprogram Name: Subprogram 5.7.1 Partnerships for Competitiveness
- Project Type: Transfer Project to Economic Operator
- Project Title: Intelligent IoT System for Greenhouse Automation
- Total Contract Value: 1,810,000 RON
- Source 1 (State Budget): 1,500,000 RON
- Source 2 (Other Sources – Co-financing): 310,000 RON
- Contract Duration: 24 months
- Coordinator: BEIA CONSULT INTERNATIONAL
- Partner 1: National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest (UNSTPB – upb.ro), CAMPUS Research Institute
- Partner 2: National Institute for Research and Development of Machinery and Installations for Agriculture and the Food Industry (INMA Bucharest)
Project Duration and Activities
The project has a duration of two years (24 months). According to the competition timeline, the project will begin in September 2024 and will consist of three main activities:
Activity 1: Requirements Definition and Technology Selection
Objective:
Identify specific microclimate parameters in greenhouses.
Sub-activities:
- A1.1 Requirements Definition (T0 + 2 months) – INMA
Identify key parameters of interest for farmers to monitor and control in greenhouses, with the goal of efficiently developing crops and reducing resource usage. Meetings will be held with farmers and academic experts to compile an extensive list of parameters. Specific requirements for the integrated system will be defined both at the system and subsystem levels. - A1.2 Technology Selection (T1 + 3 months) – INMA
Based on the defined requirements, state-of-the-art hardware and software technologies will be selected. Where applicable, existing system elements will be improved. Sensors, processing and communication components, supporting elements, and software development tools will be chosen.
Deliverable:
- D1. Technical Note on Requirements and Technology Selection (T4)
This document will detail the overall use-case scenario, the system’s technical requirements based on farmers’ needs, and the hardware/software technologies selected for system development.
Activity 2: Development of the Integrated System
Objectives:
- Develop sensor nodes, actuator nodes, and the base station.
- Develop and integrate intelligent automation algorithms.
- Develop the web platform and mobile application.
Sub-activities:
- A2.1 Hardware & Software Development of Sensor Node (T4 + 6 months) – Politehnica University of Bucharest
Wireless sensor nodes will be developed, including schematic design, PCB creation, assembly, and sensor integration. An alternative energy source using photovoltaic panels will be implemented. The sensor node will be enclosed in a sealed case suitable for greenhouse use, with general output connectors. It will support flexibility for attaching various sensors based on farmers’ needs. The software will handle data acquisition, processing, and transmission, with energy-saving algorithms implemented. - A2.2 Hardware & Software Development of Actuator Node (T4 + 6 months) – Politehnica University of Bucharest
Actuator nodes will be developed similarly to sensor nodes. The casing will include cable glands for wiring. Power supplies will be adapted based on the required equipment (24VAC, 230VAC). The software will process incoming commands and control equipment accordingly. Commands can be manual or automatic, with local execution plans received from the base station. - A2.3 Hardware & Software Development of Base Station (T8 + 8 months) – Politehnica University of Bucharest
The base station will be built using a LoRa concentrator and a development board with internet connectivity. Its software will manage data reception from sensors, command transmission to actuators, and two-way communication with the web platform. - A2.4 Development of Intelligent Automation Algorithms (T9 + 5 months) – Politehnica University of Bucharest
Automation algorithms will be based on threshold values configured by the farmer via the web platform and will also include learning and prediction capabilities for proactive control. Emergency and alert protocols (e.g., automatic window closure during strong winds) will also be defined. - A2.5 Integration of Automation Algorithms into the System (T13 + 3 months) – BEIA
Intelligent algorithms will be integrated into the base station to enable independent operation after the personalized crop plan is configured. - A2.6 Web Platform Development (T8 + 8 months) – BEIA
A platform will be developed for monitoring and controlling greenhouse microclimatic parameters. It will provide personalized dashboards per farmer, allowing configuration and real-time visualization of parameters, system automation settings, and manual control options. The platform will be hosted on BEIA’s server. - A2.7 Mobile Application Development (T10 + 6 months) – BEIA
A mobile app will allow farmers to access their equipment database, view parameter trends and real-time values, and control actuators. The app will offer both manual and automatic control modes.
Deliverables:
- D2. Technical Note on Wireless Sensor Network Development (T16)
Detailed description of hardware and software components, including schematics, PCBs, enclosures, and software codes (as appendices). - D3. Technical Note on Automation Algorithm Development & Integration (T16)
Complete description of the developed algorithms, including implementation codes. - D4. Technical Note on Platform Development (T16)
Detailed overview of the web and mobile platforms, development methodology, and functionality.
Activity 3: System Integration, Testing, and Validation
Objectives:
- Integrate, test, and validate the system.
- Disseminate project results.
Sub-activities:
- A3.1 System Integration (T16 + 2 months) – BEIA
All hardware and software components will be integrated into the final system. - A3.2 Laboratory Testing & Validation (T18 + 2 months) – BEIA
Functional testing of connectivity and automation features will be performed in the lab. Sensor readings and actuator actions will be validated using calibrated and certified measurement equipment. - A3.3 Greenhouse Testing & Validation (T20 + 4 months) – BEIA
The complete system will be tested in real conditions in a greenhouse owned by partner INMA. Various sensor and actuator configurations (e.g., electrovalves, fans, motors, lighting, water pumps) will be validated. - A3.4 Project Dissemination (T16 + 8 months) – BEIA
This activity aims to inform public and private stakeholders about the research topics and project outcomes.
Deliverable:
- D5. Technical Note on System Integration, Testing, and Validation (T24)
This report will detail the integration process, lab and real-environment tests, and the results obtained for validation.
The Kick Off Meeting took place on 18th of March 2025.
