On Friday, our final day at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), the results of our week came together. After intensive work in specialized groups, the progress made so far was jointly presented and evaluated. This final session was not only an opportunity to reflect on the achievements but also a pivotal moment for enabling the MMUST teams to carry the project forward independently.
Technical Infrastructure and Initial Applications
One of the key accomplishments of the week is the fully operational technical infrastructure. All the sensors brought to Kenya are now fully integrated into the LoRaWAN network, giving MMUST students direct access to the gateway and the sensors. This enables them to independently manage the devices, analyze the data, and plan future installations. The foundation for data-driven Smart Agriculture has been successfully established.
At the same time, initial steps have been taken to utilize this infrastructure practically. The MMUST computer science team developed a prototype of a frontend app to visualize the sensor data. This app is particularly promising for the planned Smart Greenhouse scenario, as it facilitates the monitoring and control of climatic conditions.
Further Innovative Approaches
In parallel, the MMUST engineering team worked on another Smart Agriculture project: an intelligent, flying irrigation drone. While this project is still in its early stages, it showcases the immense potential of combining technical knowledge with practical applications. Additionally, the team’s contributions to producing sensor housings through 3D printing and creating gas-tight installations for sensors on the biodigester will play a crucial role in the project’s future.
Independent Continuation and Digital Connectivity
With the installed infrastructure, MMUST now has all the tools necessary to take the next steps independently. Placing and installing the sensors at the desired locations will be the next logical phase, carried out by the students and professors on-site. However, while our direct work in Kenya is complete, the team will not be left on its own. Thanks to digital connectivity, we remain in close contact to provide support and collaboratively address any challenges.
An exciting highlight already awaits: a reunion with some team members is planned for May 2025 in Germany. Until then, the focus will be on further implementing the existing infrastructure, analyzing the collected data, and continuously optimizing Smart Agriculture processes.
An Inspiring Team and a Valuable Experience
Working with the students and professors at MMUST has been an exceptional experience. Their curiosity, dedication, and creative approaches not only enriched the project but also inspired us. It was impressive to see how quickly they familiarized themselves with complex topics and contributed their ideas to advance the work.
We look back on the past week with pride and look forward to supporting the next steps of this project remotely – and one day seeing the fruits of this collaboration.
