Most of the innovation and technology I write about involves audio, video or computing products, but I’m always on the lookout for innovative products, especially when they are the creations of young inventors. A pipeline of talented engineers and inventors is essential to any modern economy and the good news is the world’s universities and colleges are bursting with talented and ingenious innovators.
The latest inventors to catch my eye are Karlos Miranda and Kevin Rivera, founders of Watric, a Puerto Rican company developing automatic watering planters for house plants. These two young mechanical engineers hail from Puerto Rico and Karlos decided to become an inventor after having lived through Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria in 2017. Natural disasters call for ingenious engineering to get things back to normal as soon as possible.
The hurricanes prompted Karlos to think about inventions that could produce clean drinking water so desperately needed during natural disasters. Karlos has already competed at innovation fairs in Arizona, Los Angeles and twice in China. The experience provided him with a unique exposure to other young inventors and scientists.
The Walty 2,0 is an automatic and self-watering planter that creates water from the atmosphere and … [+]
When he began his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering, Karlos joined his university’s business center, where he plugged into various startup, funding and intern opportunities. His initial interest in a drinking water device led him to form Watric. With a team of interns, he began a project to create compact devices that could produce water from the atmosphere for use in microgrid applications.
To develop Watric’s products, Karlos teamed up with Kevin Rivera who already held a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico. As an intern for Watric, Kevin soon produced a successful electronic system for the company’s condensation prototype. He went on to create Watric’s first working PCB board, enabling the production of a commercial product.
Watric says it is now ready to launch its most ambitious product to date—the Walty 2.0, a smart automatic watering planter. Drawing on dehumidifying technology, Walty 2.0 can automatically water up to five house plants. The idea for the product came after Karlos bought himself a beautiful bonsai tree.
While diligently caring for his tiny tree all through university, when it came to the final exam season, Karlos neglected his beloved bonsai. And while he went on to pass his final exams, the miniature tree didn’t make it. This experience led Karlos to develop the idea of integrating water condensation technology inside a self-watering planter.
The Walty 2.0 planter is available in a range of colors and shapes thanks to the wonders of 3D … [+]
The Walty 2.0 is aimed at people who love their houseplants but who can’t always be there to give them the love, care and water they need. The product is due to launch soon and has been fully tested in Puerto Rico and in some U.S. states. All that remains is the opportunity to gauge potential demand. Kickstarter and crowdfunding platforms are a great way of testing demand and funding the final manufacturing stage of an innovative product.
Watric has now moved into its first dedicated factory in western Puerto Rico. The company now has the space to develop, manufacture and assemble the Walty 2.0. The new facility has been kitted out with advanced technology, including 3D printers which have significantly automated the manufacturing process. The move is a significant milestone for the fledgling company, enabling it to bring its products to life more efficiently.
The Walty 2.0 uses a compact condensation system that transforms ambient humidity into pure water, providing an automatic watering method for indoor plants. The smart planter is 40% more energy-efficient than its predecessor and is constructed from PLA, an eco-friendly and compostable material. The smart planter has an environment adaptation system that takes humidity and temperature samples every 15 minutes, adjusting the dehumidification system to ensure the plants receive optimal watering.
The Walty 2.0 is an ideal way of keeping up to five house plants fed and watered while you are away … [+]
Watric has now expanded its product line to include both the WALTY 2.0 and WALTY Deluxe. These products provide low-maintenance solutions for plant lovers. Watric says its new designs are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, available in a variety of colors and unique geometries, all made possible through 3D printing.
The Kickstarter campaign launches on August 7 and will help Watric bring Walty 2.0 to market and will support the onward development of the company’s next product—a home off-grid drinking water system. The team has been preparing for the launch for more than a year, ensuring a reliable manufacturing line that is already supplying planters to various states and Puerto Rico. The campaign will be the crucial next step in refining the technology and expanding the company’s product range.
As with all crowdfunding projects, due diligence is advisable because consumer rights aren’t the same as buying online or from bricks-and-mortar stores, although there’s no reason to suggest this project is particularly risky.
Pricing & Availability: The Watric Walty 2.0 will launch on Kickstarter on August 7 (today). The first 40 backers can buy a Walty 2.0 for $120. Other offers are available with discounts off the normal price of $200. The Walty 2.0 Deluxe will sell to early backers for $179 instead of the usual price of $215. Visit the Kickstarter site to find out more.
Source: bing.com
