Ghofrani
Kimia
Prototyping
Step into the world behind LeafLink, where design meets innovation. This page takes you through my hands-on process of crafting a smart, user-centered planter, from early sketches and prototypes to iterative problem-solving and real-world testing. Each step reflects my passion for blending creativity, technology, and functionality to bring ideas to life. 🌱
Design Process
Concept and Research
"Where It All Began"
Identified the challenges of plant care—overwatering, neglect, and inaccessibility. Designed a vision for a smart solution combining automation, connectivity, and intelligence.
Early Prototyping
"Testing the Basics"
Built the first working prototype using an Arduino Mega and moisture sensors. Validated core functionality but revealed the need for more compact, efficient hardware.
Custom PCB Design
"Streamlining the System"
Replaced breadboards with custom PCB designs to improve reliability and reduce size. Iterated layouts to address power management and signal stability challenges.
Wi-Fi and AI Integration
"Expanding the Vision"
Incorporated Wi-Fi for remote control and AI for plant identification and care recommendations. Redesigned hardware to support the ESP32 microcontroller and developed the app interface.
Form Factor Exploration
"Designing for Flexibility"
Tested multiple form factors, including built-in and tankless water systems. Opted for a scalable, tankless design based on user needs and feedback.
App Development
"Connecting Hardware and Software"
Built an intuitive app for monitoring and managing plants in real time. Refined the UI through testing to ensure ease of use and seamless functionality.
Testing and Iteration
"Learning from the Real World"
Tested LeafLink in diverse environments, uncovering edge cases and areas for improvement. Iteratively enhanced hardware and software to meet real-world challenges.
Current Phase
Focusing on durability, usability, and market readiness. Preparing LeafLink to redefine how technology transforms plant care.
Why LeafLink?
It all started with a problem:
The plants near my desk thrived, while those out of reach didn’t stand a chance. My friends faced the same struggle—overwatering, neglect, and that inevitable moment of panic when leaving plants behind for a trip.
I saw an opportunity to do something transformative:
That’s when I imagined LeafLink: a smart, connected system that takes care of your plants, whether you’re in the next room or halfway across the world.
What if plant care wasn’t dependent on human oversight? What if technology could step in?
Research and Discovery
Before diving into hardware, I wanted to deeply understand the problem. Here’s how I started:
User Interviews: I spoke with plant parents to uncover their biggest pain points.
Data Analysis: Did you know 70% of houseplants die from overwatering? That statistic blew my mind.
Vision: I wasn’t just solving a problem; I was reshaping the relationship between people and their plants.
Step 1: Turning Observations Into Action
Step 2: The First Prototype
I grabbed an Arduino Mega, some moisture sensors, and a breadboard and got to work. The goal? Build something functional.
The Wins:
The system could measure soil moisture and pump water automatically.
The Challenges:
It was bulky, inconsistent, and absolutely not ready for anyone’s living room.
But this prototype wasn’t a failure, it was the spark. I realized LeafLink needed to be compact, sleek, and smarter. That’s when I decided to level up.
Step 3: Compacting the Vision
Custom PCB Design
Breadboards are great for learning, but they’re not scalable. I needed a custom PCB (printed circuit board) to shrink the design and improve reliability.
What I Learned:
Designing PCBs is an art and a science.
Early designs overheated, short-circuited, or just plain didn’t work.
But through trial, error, and a lot of late nights, I made a compact, efficient PCB.
This step alone reduced the device size by 40%. Goodbye bulky breadboard, hello custom hardware!
Step 4: Wi-Fi and AI—The Big Leap
From the beginning, I wanted LeafLink to do more than water plants. I wanted it to connect, learn, and anticipate needs. So, I made a bold decision early on:
LeafLink would be Wi-Fi enabled and powered by AI.
The Wi-Fi Breakthrough:
The ESP32 microcontroller made it possible for LeafLink to connect to an app, allowing plant parents to monitor and control their plants remotely.
The Power of AI:
LeafLink’s AI identifies plant species, recommends care schedules, and even suggests automatic watering routines tailored to each plant.
Challenges:
Adding Wi-Fi meant redesigning the PCB (again).
AI integration required learning new programming techniques and handling loads of data.
The result? A device that’s not just smart—it’s intuitive.
Step 5: Designing the Perfect Shell
Form Factor Exploration
The outside of a product is just as important as the inside. I prototyped two versions of LeafLink:
A built-in water tank for convenience.
A tankless system for flexibility (so users could attach their own water source).
What Users Taught Me:
Flexibility wins! The tankless system offered scalability, making LeafLink adaptable to different setups.
The housings also went through several redesigns. Early 3D prints were tricky to assemble, but later versions were modular, user-friendly, and looked amazing.
Past formfactor Iterations
Step 6: Bringing It All Together—Hardware Meets Software
App Development
The app is where LeafLink comes to life for users. It connects them to their plants, showing real-time moisture levels and giving them control from anywhere.
Key Features:
Manual and automatic watering modes.
AI-powered care suggestions.
Alerts for low water levels or plant health issues.
The challenge? Making it intuitive. Early prototypes were cluttered and confusing. After multiple iterations and feedback sessions, the app evolved into a simple, elegant dashboard.
Prototypes are only the beginning. Testing LeafLink in real environments was where the magic happened—and where I learned the most.
What I Tested:
Moisture sensor accuracy in different soil types.
Hardware durability over weeks of continuous use.
Connectivity stability in varying Wi-Fi conditions.
What I Learned:
Hanging planters posed unique challenges (like water placement).
User feedback reshaped both the app and hardware for greater reliability and ease of use.
Every round of testing made LeafLink better. Iteration is messy, but it’s also the most rewarding part of the process.
I’m currently working on making the next iteration fully
solar-powered.
Step 7: Real-World Testing and Iteration
Step 8: Where We Are Now
Current Phase:
LeafLink is in the final stages of development. Here’s what I’m focusing on:
Durability: Optimizing hardware for long-term use.
Usability: Refining the app to make plant care feel effortless.
Market Readiness: Exploring production options to bring LeafLink to plant parents everywhere.
What LeafLink Taught Me
This project has been a rollercoaster of creativity, problem-solving, and personal growth. Here’s what I’ll carry forward:
Be Bold: Adding Wi-Fi and AI early on wasn’t easy, but it transformed the project.
Iterate Relentlessly: Every mistake taught me something invaluable, mostly to keep going. The process only stops when you stop.
Stay Curious: Learning new skills—like PCB design and firmware programming—kept me inspired.
I started with an idea and ended up creating something that feels truly alive.
“Our commitment to the process is the only alternative to the lottery-mindset of hoping for good luck.” ~ Seth Godin
401 Logan Ave.
Toronto ON, Canada
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