CORN-DRIVE system

A gallery of CORN-DRIVE growing system I designed and implemented. The CORN-DRIVE system is a dual-mode, autonomous indoor cultivation platform that transforms precision agriculture by transitioning from traditional timer-based irrigation to Vision-Defined Actuation (VDA). Operating as a decentralized Neural Rack, its primary Edge-AI tier utilizes a low power CPU and highly optimized computer vision to continuously monitor plant phenotypes, instantly translating early biological stress markers into targeted microcontroller interventions. To ensure maximum experimental rigor and provide a reliable control group, the system also features a robust, AI-independent baseline tier that relies on standardized soil moisture sensors and precise real-time clock scheduling. By successfully bridging the gap between high-throughput biological phenotyping and real-time robotic actuation, CORN-DRIVE provides a scalable, open-source blueprint for the next generation of intelligent, self-learning automated farms. Corn plants are grown to feed the larvae of Bicyclus anynana butterflies.

AI Mode Flow

Baseline Mode Flow

Corn Rack Unit_1.0

The first generation of CORN-DRIVE system that utlizes two microcontrollers to detect water levels, temperature, humidity, TDS, and pH and controls multiple pumps, light timing, and wind speed.

Corn Rack Unit_2.0

The second generation racks that optimizes on the findings from the first generation system and utilizes a modular controller platform that detect the levels of water, TDS, temperature, and humidity and prodives control to the pumps and light timing.

Corn Rack Unit_3.0

The CORN-DRIVE: Neural Rack (running corn_AI_v1.0) is an autonomous indoor cultivation platform that replaces traditional timer-based irrigation with real-time Vision-Defined Actuation (VDA). By fusing low-cost edge AI with embedded robotics, it continuously monitors visual plant phenotypes to deliver water and nutrients precisely when the crop's biological state demands it.

Corn growth_5 weeks

Corn plants growing in a microgreen tray for around 5 weeks.

Corn harvest

Corn plants harvested after 5 weeks of growth.

Corn Greenhouse

An early photograph of the greenhouse showing the CORN-DRIVE under construction.

Corn Rack Unit_1.0

Corn rack_1.0 with the lights off state.

Corn harvest

Corn harvest after 4 weeks of growth in microgreen trays.

Corn Modules

An array of corn modules under contruction at NUS.

Corn-DRIVE_v_delta controller.

An advanced version of the controllers that intergrates information from multiple different sensors including light intensity, pH, TDS, water temperature, chamber temperature and humidity, and intergrates information from Corn-AI to provide highly specific response against water, nutrient, and light stress.