Hydroponics Revolution: Universitas Gadjah Mada Integrates Computer Vision and CNC for Dynamic Plant Monitoring
Yogyakarta – Andri Prima Nugroho, STP., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU, ASEAN Eng., APEC Eng., from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully completed an innovative research project in 2025. The study developed a system for detecting plant position and monitoring dynamic plant growth in hydroponic cultivation by integrating Computer Vision and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technologies to improve monitoring accuracy, cultivation efficiency, and support precision agriculture automation.
This advanced system is designed to overcome the limitations of manual monitoring in hydroponic farming. Using Computer Vision, the system can detect plant positions and measure various growth parameters in real time, such as height, leaf width, and color, which serve as indicators of plant health. This visual data is then analyzed to provide accurate insights into the condition of each plant.
The integration with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) enables dynamic and precise movement of the monitoring device. This allows cameras or sensors to move automatically across the cultivation area, ensuring that every plant is monitored without continuous human intervention. “This system is a step forward toward fully automated and intelligent hydroponic farming,” explained Andri Prima Nugroho. “With more accurate and efficient monitoring, we can optimize growing conditions, detect issues earlier, and ultimately increase crop yields significantly.”
This internally funded research also involves collaboration with external partners, both domestic and international, reflecting Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to delivering impactful and relevant technological solutions. The output of this research includes models and algorithms ready for implementation to support modern precision agriculture systems.
With the completion of this system, hydroponic cultivation is expected to become more productive, efficient, and sustainable, paving the way for further innovation in technology-driven agriculture in the future.
