Growers are well aware of what type of light their plants need at different growth stages but often have not had the opportunity to properly control the lighting devices in their indoor farming facilities. Thanks to the newly developed CultiMesh system, these challenges can be addressed since light spectrum and intensity can, from now on, be adjusted at any time as required. Steerable Far-Red, Blue, or White light for the plants or workers' better working environment can all be achieved with Food Autonomy Toplights, complimented by CultiMesh.
Control the light easily and quickly
"We're answering the need of growers to control the lights easily and quickly with an affordable wireless solution," says Anita Zelnik with Food Autonomy. CultiMesh represents a cost-effective wireless platform that has been recently introduced by the Hungarian company Food Autonomy, already known for their horticultural lighting solutions, such as the multi-channel Flexi-Grow and LEDFan Toplights. As Anita, Senior Product Manager, explains, CultiMesh has attracted the interest of growers not only due to its cost-effectiveness in terms of installation, eliminating the need for extensive cabling, but also because of the various added features that can help growers optimize their daily operation.
Control thousands of luminaires in seconds
CultiMesh was developed in close collaboration with growers, who also rigorously tested the system to ensure flawless performance. With this system, it is possible to control thousands of multi-channel luminaires in seconds, independently or via a climate computer, which enables growers to manage everything from a central device. This innovation utilizes a unique wireless control protocol, which is a reliable and significantly faster communication than other wireless systems currently known on the market. "Speed and reliability are crucial, especially for growers who are directly connected to the grid and are contributing to grid balancing." Additionally, the system can collect and log data on the luminaires' performance, send notifications on any unlikely malfunction with the exact position, and provide daily or weekly reports on photons emitted by the supplemental lighting.
Two-way communication platform
According to Anita, CultiMesh goes far beyond being a wireless dimming for lighting fixtures. It is a high-tech two-way communication platform that creates an indoor, high-precision positioning system that is opening new possibilities in dynamic lighting and other automated greenhouse operations. As an example, with the use of portable tags, spraying robots can be tracked and monitored or lights can automatically be adjusted to increase the white content to enhance workers' comfort in their working area and be optimized for plant growth when employees are absent.
The Food Autonomy team presented CultiMesh at the GreenTech
More features
Food Autonomy's dedicated team is committed to continually improving the CultiMesh system and plans to introduce even more advanced features soon. Anita concludes, "There's tremendous potential for making indoor farming operations more efficient than ever before. By conducting ongoing technical research and collaborating with growers, energy experts, electricity network providers, and climate computer companies, we will continue to develop the best possible solutions for high-tech agricultural installations to make growers' lives easier and the environmental footprint lower."
For more information:
Food Autonomy
www.foodautonomy.org
[email protected]