Abstract: A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor, wherein the cart-computing device generates a control signal to adjust the operation of the drive motor, and a sensor module communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a first mode, generates a signal and transmits the signal to the cart-computing device in response to a detected event. The sensor module, in a second mode, transmits a first communication signal in response to the first communication signal generated by the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a third mode, receives a second communication signal in response to a source external to the cart transmitting the second communication signal to the cart.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a grow cycle are described. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a plant type for providing grow lighting and receiving first data for creating a first grow cycle for a first predetermined period of plant growth, where the first grow cycle includes providing a first wavelength of photon-emitting lighting. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving second data for creating a second grow cycle for a second predetermined period of plant growth, where the second grow cycle includes providing a second wavelength of photon-emitting lighting, determining when the first predetermined period of plant growth begins, and in response to determining that the first predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implementing the first grow cycle.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing and operating crop control hardware are provided herein. Some embodiments include an assembly line grow pod having a master controller with a plurality of bays and being communicatively coupled to components of the grow pod, a crop control module within one of the bays such that the crop control module is communicatively coupled to the master controller and the components of the grow pod, and a second control module in one of the bays, which is removably insertable such that it is removable from the bay without altering the assembly line grow pod functionality. The crop control module is programmed to sense a removal of the second control module, determine control signals necessary to maintain an operation of the grow pod and the components of the grow pod, and provide the control signals to the grow pod or the components of the grow pod.

Abstract: A method for moving wetted seeds from a tank includes positioning a first batch of seeds within a tank, directing water from a water source to the tank, wetting the first batch of seeds within the tank with the water from the water source to initiate germination of the first batch of seeds, releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank to a pod line in fluid communication with an assembly line grow pod after a predetermined time, and subsequent to releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank, detecting a level of seeds remaining in the tank.

Abstract: A method for wetting seeds for an assembly line grow pod includes positioning a first batch of seeds within a tank, directing water from a water source to the tank through a lower portion of the tank, wetting the first batch of seeds within the tank with the water from the water source, initiating germination of the first batch of seeds, draining the water from the tank after a predetermined submersion time, subsequent to draining the water from the tank, directing water from the water source to the tank through the lower portion of the tank, wetting the first batch of seeds within the tank with the water from the water source for the predetermined submersion time, and releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank to a pod line in fluid communication with an assembly line grow pod after a predetermined time.

Abstract: A system for germinating seeds according to a germination recipe is disclosed. The system for germinating seeds for a grow pod includes a plurality of germination sub-tanks configured to receive seeds, the plurality of germination sub-tanks receiving different species of seeds, respectively, a master germination tank configured to receive seeds from one or more of the plurality of germination sub-tanks, and a controller. The controller includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules storing germination recipes, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the controller to: determine a ratio of the different species of seeds based on a germination recipe, operate the plurality of germination sub-tanks to provide seeds to the master germination tank based on the ratio, and provide the seeds in the master germination tank to one or more carts.

Abstract: A system for an assembly line grow pod includes a germination hub including a tank, a water source in selective fluid communication with the tank, a pump in selective fluid communication with the tank and the water source, a pod line in selective fluid communication with the germination hub, a seeder assembly in selective fluid communication with the pod line, the seeder assembly including a seeder tank, and a metering device in selective fluid communication with the seeder tank, where the metering device selectively releases seeds from the seeder tank, and a cart positioned below the metering device.

Abstract: A system for normalizing tank pressures includes a controller, a holding tank, a first reservoir, a first valve fluidly coupled to the first reservoir and communicatively coupled to the master controller, a distribution line fluidly coupling the holding tank to the first valve, a first sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, where the first sensor is configured to output signals corresponding to a fluid level within the first reservoir, and an instruction set that causes the processor to: receive signals from the first sensor, determine whether the fluid level within the first fluid reservoir is below a first threshold, generate a first signal to open the first valve when the fluid level is below the first threshold such that fluid from the holding tank fills the first reservoir, and generate a second signal to close the first valve when the fluid level is not below the first threshold.

Abstract: A method for pumping seeds to an assembly line grow pods includes releasing seeds to a pipe in fluid communication with a pump, moving water from a water source to the pipe in fluid communication with the pump, combining the seeds released from the tank with the water from the water source in the pipe, and pumping the combination of the seeds released from the tank and the water from the water source to a grow pod line in fluid communication with the pump, and moving the seeds from the grow pod line to one or more carts of an assembly line grow pod.

Abstract: A testing station for testing an industrial cart includes a controller, a length of track having a first section, a second section, and a third section. Sensors are communicatively coupled to the controller, where the sensors are configured to at least detect a cart traversing the third section. An electric source electrically coupled to the second section, where the second section provides electric power to a first pair of wheels of a cart when the cart traverses the first section and the second section, and the second section provides electric power to a second pair of wheels when the cart traverses the second section and the third section. An instruction set causes the processor to receive, from a first sensor, signals indicating the cart is traversing the third section and in response to receiving the signals indicating that the cart is traversing the third section, determine the cart is functioning.

Abstract: A watering station includes a robotic watering device having a first swing arm having a first end opposite a second end, a rotatable robot arm rotatably coupled to a second end of the first swing arm, a first motor configured to pivot the first swing arm, a second motor configured to rotate the rotatable robot arm with respect to the first swing arm, and pump outlets positioned on the rotatable robot arm, one or more pumps fluidly coupled to the pump outlets positioned on the rotatable robot arm, and a fluid reservoir, where the one or more pumps comprises an inlet and an outlet, and the one or more pumps are fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir such that when activated the one or more pumps draw fluid from the fluid reservoir and disperse a predetermined amount of fluid out the pump outlets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating communication among grow pods are provided. One embodiment of a system includes a remote computing device that includes a memory component that stores logic. The logic may cause the remote computing device to receive a grow recipe that includes actions for a particular grow pod to grow a plant, implement the grow recipe on the particular grow pod; determine an output of the plant in the particular grow pod using the grow recipe, and determine a random adjustment to the grow recipe. In some embodiments, the logic may cause the computing device to determine an output of the plant in the particular grow pod using the random adjustment to the grow recipe and determine whether the random adjustment to the grow recipe resulted in an improvement in output.

Abstract: A method for controlling a balanced state of an assembly line grow pod is provided. A group of sensors including a pressure sensor and a weight sensor is arranged at a plurality of different locations of an assembly line grow pod. A first set of data indicative of weight of fluid supplied to plants supported in an assembly line grow pod is generated. A second set of data indicative of weight of plants grown is generated. Based on the first set of data and the second set of data, a weight disparity at a selected location of the assembly line grow pod is determined. Upon determination that the weight disparity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the balanced state of the assembly line grow pod is maintained by moving ballast water to reduce the weight disparity.

Abstract: A cart having a wheel and a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the wheel, where the cart-computing device receives an electrical signal via the wheel. The electrical signal comprises a communication signal and electrical power. The communication signal corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the cart and the electrical power of the electrical signal powers the cart-computing device.

Abstract: A control system includes a shell including an enclosed area, one or more carts moving on a track within the enclosed area, an air supplier within the enclosed area, one or more vents connected to the air supplier and configured to output air within the enclosed area, and a controller. The controller is configured to: identify a plant on the one or more carts; determine a humidity recipe for the identified plant; control the air output from the one or more vents based on the humidity recipe for the identified plant; receive an image of the plant the in one or more carts captured by the imaging sensor; and update the humidity recipe for the plant based on the captured image of the plant.

Abstract: A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor; and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device, the one or more sensors generating one or more signals in response to a detected event. The cart-computing device receives a communication signal and electrical power via the wheel. The communication signal corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the cart. The cart-computing device receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors. The cart-computing device generates and transmits a control signal to the drive motor to cause the drive motor to operate based on at least one of the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors or the communication signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing grow lighting are described. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a lighting cycle for a predetermined plant type and receiving a command for implementing the lighting cycle with a grow lighting assembly on a plant, where the grow lighting assembly includes a grow lighting device with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Some embodiments also include determining an illumination pattern for implementing the lighting cycle for the grow lighting assembly and sending the illumination pattern to the grow lighting assembly for implementation.

Abstract: A lighting system for an assembly line grow pod includes a fixture, an actuator coupled to the fixture, one or more electromagnetic sources positioned at least partially within the fixture, a distance sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and the distance sensor, the controller including a processor and a computer readable and executable instruction set, which when executed, causes the processor to receive a signal from the distance sensor indicative of a detected distance between the distance sensor and plant matter positioned below the one or more electromagnetic sources, determine whether the detected distance is less than a configurable threshold, and in response to determining that the detected distance is less than the configurable threshold, direct the actuator to move the fixture upward in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A temperature control system includes a shell including an enclosed area, one or more carts moving on a track within the enclosed area, an air supplier within the enclosed area, one or more vents connected to the air supplier and configured to output air within the enclosed area, and a controller. The controller includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the controller to: identify a plant on the one or more carts, determine a temperature recipe for the identified plant, and control a temperature of the air output from the one or more vents based on the temperature recipe for the identified plant.