How It Works

Get up close and in depth with the terrariums that form the core of Project OBO.

why

"Project OBO?"

"Obor-obor" stands for Octopus in the Malay language, otherwise known as Behasa Melayu. As the structure of our terrariums looked like octopuses, we have decided to borrow this word, and put a fun twist on it.

Plus, the word makes for a cute icon.


Key Features

Sensors

artificial
light

gyroscope

internal
fan

self
sustaining

64 plants per
terrarium


internal fan

To create airflow to reduce humidity on the leaves of plants.

360 degree camera & internal gyroscope

To monitor and observe the strucutural conditions of the biosphere.

Pink LED lights

To supplement natural light for the plants, should the biosphere receive insufficient luminance.


biosphere

Holds approximately 2,000 litres of air, with a 10-metre long spiral to house up to 64 plants.

how are the plants grown?

The plants are grown using a hydroponic system - they are grown without the need for soil, in a controlled environment with a nutrient-rich solution that delivers water and minerals to their roots.

The spiral allows the solution to descend down via gravity when water is pumped to the top of the spiral.


internal components

wireless underwater communication system

Ultrasonic, with a range of ~ 100m to facilitate communication with the divers who are underwater.

Sensors

Temperature, Luminance, Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen sensors to monitor internal conditions of the biosphere for plant growth.

Data is then sent to the control tower for staff to monitor and analyse.


harvesting process

The divers will be sent down to the domes when the plants are ready for harvest.

The Step Grid is for divers to stand on whilst harvesting plants inside the biosphere. During the harvesting process, half of the diver's body would still be in the water.

They will harvest the crop from the pockets in the pipes, and store them in airtight dry bags before bringing them to land.