Real-time geoinformation systems to improve the quality, scalability, and cost of Internet of Things for agri-environment research

Authors: RUNCK, BRYAN - University Of Minnesota; SCHULTZ, BOBBY - University Of Minnesota; BISHOP, JEFF - University Of Minnesota; CARLSON, NATHAN - University Of Minnesota; CHANTIGIAN, BRYAN - University Of Minnesota; DETERS, GARY - University Of Minnesota; ERDMANN, JESSE - University Of Minnesota; Neupane, Dhurba; FELZAN, MICHAEL - University Of Minnesota; FU, XIAO - University Of Minnesota; KANTAR, MICHAEL - University Of Hawaii; KRISHNA, MOHANA - University Of Minnesota; JUNKER, CHRIS - University Of Minnesota; MARCHETTO, PETER - Conservify; MORRIS, BRAD - Graphspan, Llc; PAMULAPARTHY, KEERTHI - Optum; POUDYAL, CHRISTINA - Sunday; REITER, MAGGIE - Sunday; GREYLING, JAN - Stellenbosch University; HOGAN, CHRISTOPHER - University Of Minnesota; HOLLMAN, ANDREW - University Of Minnesota; JOGLEKAR, ALI - University Of Minnesota; KAUNDA, LUMBANI - University Of Minnesota; LYNCH, BENJAMIN - University Of Minnesota; NIAGHI, ALI - Benson Hill; ROSEN, LUCAS - University Of Minnesota; SALAZAR, BENJAMIN - University Of Minnesota; SCOBBIE, ANDREW - University Of Minnesota; SHARMA, VASUDHA - University Of Minnesota; SILVERSTEIN, KEVIN - University Of Minnesota; SINGH, GURPARTEET - University Of Minnesota; STROCK, JEFF - University Of Minnesota; SUBEDI, SAMIKSHYA - University Of Minnesota; TANG, EVAN - University Of Minnesota; TURTURILLO, GIANNA - University Of Minnesota; WATKINS, ERIC - University Of Minnesota; WEBSTER, BLAKE - University Of Minnesota; WILGENBUSCH, JAMES - University Of Minnesota; PARDEY, PHILLIP - University Of Minnesota; PIOTROWSKI, ANN - University Of Minnesota; PRATHER, TOM - University Of Minnesota; RAGHAVAN, BARATH - University Of Southern California; MARSOLEK, MEGAN - University Of Minnesota; MCKAY, TROY - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: ArXiv
Publication Type: Pre-print Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/28/2024
Publication Date: 3/28/2024
Citation: Runck, B.C., Schultz, B., Bishop, J., Carlson, N., Chantigian, B., Deters, G., Erdmann, J., Ewing, P.M., Felzan, M., Fu, X. 2024. Real-time geoinformation systems to improve the quality, scalability, and cost of Internet of Things for agri-environment research. ArXiv. 10.48550/arXiv.2403.19477.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.19477

Interpretive Summary: Machine learning and artificial intelligence may help accelerate better agricultural practices. However, these tools are data intensive. Spatial internet of things (IoT) technologies are increasingly important for collecting real-time, high resolution data for these models. However, managing large fleets of devices while maintaining high data quality remains an ongoing challenge as scientists iterate from prototype to mature end-to-end applications. We provide a set of case studies for an open source spatial IoT system for data collection, processing, and distribution. The spatial IoT systems underwent 3 major and 14 minor system versions, had over 2,727 devices manufactured both in academic and commercial contexts, and are either in active or planned deployment across four continents. Our results show the evolution of a generalizable, open source spatial IoT system designed for agricultural scientists, and provide a model for academic researchers to overcome the challenges that exist in going from one-off prototypes to thousands of internet-connected devices. We expect such systems to accelerate site-specific agricultural research and improve predictive modeling. These outcomes, in turn, may lead to faster and more effective solutions to the most pressing challenges facing agricultural producers.

Technical Abstract: With the increasing emphasis on machine learning and artificial intelligence to drive knowledge discovery in the agricultural sciences, spatial internet of things (IoT) technologies have become increasingly important for collecting real-time, high resolution data for these models. However, managing large fleets of devices while maintaining high data quality remains an ongoing challenge as scientists iterate from prototype to mature end-to-end applications. Here, we provide a set of case studies using the framework of technology readiness levels for an open source spatial IoT system. The spatial IoT systems underwent 3 major and 14 minor system versions, had over 2,727 devices manufactured both in academic and commercial contexts, and are either in active or planned deployment across four continents. Our results show the evolution of a generalizable, open source spatial IoT system designed for agricultural scientists, and provide a model for academic researchers to overcome the challenges that exist in going from one-off prototypes to thousands of internet-connected devices.