From the Cloud to the Canal: The Future of Farming Is Connected
- By CDOTrends editors
- May 23, 2024
Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider Actility and water management company Rubicon Water have announced a partnership to leverage IoT technology and tackle the challenges of water scarcity and agricultural productivity.
A key part of the partnership is the planned launch of a new solution, ThingPark FUOTA (Firmware Update Over-the-Air), by late 2024. This solution can upgrade assets in remote areas, increasing application features, accessibility, and performance.
Bruce Rodgerson, chief executive at Rubicon Water, said FUOTA would significantly improve water management in remote areas.
“This solution not only caters to our existing customers but also provides an accessible entry point for new customers seeking improved water management,” he said.
“It’s a valuable addition for our current users and offers scalability for emerging markets. We’re excited to introduce this advancement across our solution ecosystem.”
Founded in 1995, Rubicon Water has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions that improve the management of water in open canal networks, increasing overall water availability and enhancing agricultural productivity.
Rubicon's flagship Total Channel Control (TCC) solution autonomously manages water from the point of diversion down to the farm via a series of interconnected smart gates that both measure and control water to reduce losses and enhance distribution efficiency from an average of around 60% to 90+%.
TCC is recognized globally, with Rubicon’s technology now adopted in over 20 countries.
Actility’s IoT technology will integrate into Rubicon’s ecosystem of water management solutions.
The collaboration has already seen the implementation of the TP Embedded (TPE) platform, enhancing device connectivity and operational efficiency.
Actility’s LoRaWAN® implementation offers significant stability enhancements in communicating end-to-end data packets across broad geographic areas, with the TPE providing a detailed interface of the IoT network operations.
Rubicon deploys across diverse geographies, including Australia, Italy, and India.
The technology creates significant water savings globally, reducing energy expenditure and enhancing on-farm productivity.
For example, one of Australia's largest irrigation districts conserves over 429 gigaliters of water annually.
Image credit: iStockphoto/metamorworks
