Everything started with
one Japanese black pine Bonsai
given by a friend's grandfather
(May 26th, 2023).
Our first focus was on BONSAI-specific watering management.
Bonsai cannot store much water in a small tray, so daily watering is essential.
In addition, it is necessary to adjust the timing and frequency of watering according to the weather, the season, and the type of tree, its condition, and size of each bonsai.
Although this daily watering is, of course, one of the pleasures of bonsai lovers, we believe that this “frequency” can be a entry barrier for working generation like when they have business trip, so we have been developing a bonsai-specific watering device with support from the university.（Bonsai × IoT = BonsaIoT）
And from the middle stage, with the support of the Fukuoka Mitou (Consortium for Exploratory Human Resources Discovery and Development in Fukuoka pref., Japan) adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's (METI) "AKATSUKI Project," we have further developing a 3D bonsai growth record using 3D reconstruction technology in addition to the watering mechanism.
Through this project, we has proposed new ways of enjoying bonsai and new possibilities in the bonsai world.
Now, we are promoting an even more attractive project, BONSAIENCE, using this 3D bonsai data.
In the third BonsaIoT, we have evolved the mechanism to be more specialized for photographing bonsai.
First, an arc structure was introduced for the camera's elevation, enabling it to always shoot from an equal distance to the bonsai, always in the direction of the center of the bonsai. In addition, when taking pictures, the camera takes a static snapshot every time the stand is rotated 10°, and after one round, it changes the height and takes another snapshots and snapshots, completely preventing blurring and completely automatically while taking several hundred pictures.
Furthermore, the third uses calf bending techniques for decoration to create an elegant exterior that does not detract from the view of the bonsai world. Accordingly, the third built a great success, receiving two Young Maker Awards at the Maker Faire Kyoto 2024.
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