Smart sprinkler system waters lawns depending on the weather

A California-based company called ETWater wants to help people save water via smart sprinklers that use sensors and weather information to determine when a lawn needs to be watered. If it rains in an area, for example, the sprinkler system will automatically adjust to use less water.

Timer-automated sprinkler systems have been used for years in homes across the US, but this does not offer the full advantages of a “connected” sprinkler system that can actually use data to determine how much water a lawn should get. Saving water is an important environmental concern, especially in areas undergoing drought like California. Being environmentally conscious comes at a cost, though. In this case, that cost is $35 per month. One reason for the relatively steep price is that the product uses 3G/4G service to get online.

Now that green energy and green technology are big trends, these are also big money-makers. Not everything billed as “green” is necessarily helpful to the environment, but the Internet of Things offers a unique way of gauging the success of new technology by providing data on how it is used. Someone with a smart sprinkler system would be able to see how often the lawn is watered and for how long, and determine the difference in water usage.

This is similar to what is already happening within the home. Smart homes are said to help people conserve energy consumption by allowing users to control things like air conditioning and lighting while away. Sensors can also determine whether people are home or if they have just arrived or left. Since the technology is still new, there hasn’t been any comprehensive analysis of the real-world benefits, but many people are already true believers. As this market segment grows, so too does the opportunity for China manufacturers making all the “connected” products and the exporters buying them.