Written by Team Titan secured second place in the Autodesk Designathon for their idea, a compact, solar-powered, hydroponic farming system.
The students representing Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, designed a system comprising solar panel for energy supply, connected to a small hydroponic unit where crops are grown in a nutrient-rich, water-based solution, eliminating the need for soil.
The mechanical engineering students from Team Titan, Alao Kolawole, Julia Daramola, and Oluwaseun Adeyera, took part in the two-day Designathon organised by Autodesk and KnowledgePoint.
When asked about the competition and their concept, the team said:
“Designing a product for growing crops using renewable energy in Fusion was a mixture of sustainability and innovation. It underscored the incredible potential of combining cutting-edge design technology with renewable energy to revolutionise agriculture. This experience was a vivid reminder that the future of eco-friendly farming is not just a concept, but a tangible reality within our grasp.”
Concept for a portable product for growing crops using renewable energy
The students were challenged to design a concept for a portable product for growing crops using renewable energy. Team Titan’s design is a compact, solar-powered, hydroponic farming system. Portability is achieved through a lightweight, collapsible frame with wheels, allowing easy movement and reconfiguration. The design integrates sensors and automated controls for nutrient and pH level management, ensuring optimal growing conditions while leveraging renewable energy.
Expert view
The Designathon concepts were judged by an expert panel including representatives from Autodesk and KnowledgePoint. The judges were impressed by the quality of the student submissions.
Commenting on Team Titan’s entry, the judges said:
“This project was one of our favourites aesthetically. The team applied high attention to details while modelling with Fusion and did a great job in generating photo-realistic renderings. It was also one of the best projects in terms of portability. Additionally, the team considered the manufacturability of the product in their design.”
Organised by KnowledgePoint, Designathon is part Autodesk’s commitment to education. The two-day online event saw students from 24 countries develop vital digital skills, and compete in the global Designathon challenge.
For more information about the Designathon and Autodesk’s commitment to education here.