Join us for this month’s Tech Talk on August 22, where Manu Pillai, the founder of WaterBit, will demonstrate how the startup’s telemetry package can be installed easily and connected to moisture sensors, pressure sensors and more. This helps growers know exactly when crops need water or if other action is needed. WaterBit, which is based in San Jose with offices in Salinas at the WG Center for Innovation and Technology and Fresno at CSU, is working on everything from sensing physics to hardware to cloud applications.

During the Tech Talk, Pillai will be speaking about WaterBit’s sensing and control products in development and trials in corn, almonds and grapes across the Central Valley. WaterBit’s first generally-available product, LoRaN, is a solar-powered, ultra-low energy, long-range telemetry unit, with sensing and control capability.

LoRaN can be installed just above ground, out of the way of machines. No special mounting is needed. It is a waterproof, zero-maintenance system, with no batteries to be replaced. WaterBit currently has units hanging onto drip lines in vineyards; very little sunlight is needed for operation. 

The telemetry unit connects to a cellular gateway, and each gateway can support up to 500 telemetry units with a range of up to 3.5 miles and 1.5 miles in dense foliage. This is also solar powered. The data is delivered to a cloud application and can be viewed through a browser.

EVENT INFORMATION

WaterBit Tech Talk®

Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Location: Online or in-person

Online: You will be emailed a link when you register

In-person: Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (150 Main Street, Suite 130, Salinas, CA 93901)

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT

RSVP: To attend, please register here.

Tech Talks, which are offered at no cost, are hosted by the Center to introduce WG members and the community to the latest innovations. For more information about the Tech Talk Series or the Center, contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.