Abstract
The marine aquarium industry has been exploring IoT (Internet of Things) technologies to automate maintenance, yet existing solutions often rely on proprietary Wi-Fi or Bluetooth implementations, hindering the development of reliable hardware. Moreover, these solutions operate within isolated ecosystems, posing integration challenges with established Smart Home platforms like Apple’s HomeKit.
This project explores the latest advancements in IoT connectivity standards, particularly focusing on Thread and its open-source counterpart, OpenThread. Our objective is to establish a Platform leveraging OpenThread that empowers third-party IoT manufacturers to easily build Thread-enabled products for specific applications within large-scale artificial environments, such as aviaries and marine aquariums. In addition, we developed a hardware prototype to showcase distinct advantages of a connected aquatic control system over traditional aquarium setups. Overall, the Platform means to highlight an integrated experience where a focus on ease of access and onboarding, both through the adoption of Thread and HomeKit, enhances the user experience and drives the development of animal-care technologies.
Data Architecture Diagram
Downloads
GitLab: https://code.cs.earlham.edu/adai13/aquatic-control-system