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Surprising Science — January 10, 2013

Hey There. Your Schlefflera Needs Some Water. Like, Now.

Flower Power is a sensor that, when inserted into a plant's pot, monitors its health and sends information, including alerts, to a smartphone or tablet.

What’s the Latest Development?

Wireless tech company Parrot unveiled its new Flower Power sensor for plants at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. By inserting the two-pronged device into a pot, users can receive data about the plant’s health on a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet. Not only does Flower Power monitor such factors as sunlight and water levels, it sends alerts when conditions are less than favorable. The accompanying app contains care information for 6,000 plants, and allows users to search for the plant if they don’t know its name. A single AAA battery provides enough power to send data every 15 minutes for about six months.

What’s the Big Idea?

Simply put, Flower Power is “a green thumb we all wish we had,” says Leah Haran, senior VP of a public relations firm. It also represents yet another step towards the Internet of Things, where even the most mundane of objects can be “connected.” Parrot has yet to set a price for the sensor, and it’s not known when it will be available for sale.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com

Read it at LiveScience

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