Final Major Project
Project Brief →
This is a technology-directed project investigating how emerging Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging could be used to help strawberry growers better understand their crops. The challenge was to transform a complex sensing technology into a practical, handheld device capable of providing real-time, non-destructive insight into glucose levels and overall crop performance.
The Challenge
Crop monitoring remains largely dependent on experience, visual assessment and destructive refractometer testing, providing only a snapshot of crop performance at a single point in time. As a result, growers have limited visibility of crop development across entire fields, making it difficult to identify issues early and forecast harvests with confidence.
Why Short-Wave Infrared?
Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging captures information beyond the visible spectrum, revealing hidden characteristics within plant tissue that are invisible to the human eye. Through imaging experiments using citrus fruit, alongside research and discussions with multispectral imaging experts, I explored how different wavelengths respond to water and glucose signals. These findings demonstrated the potential for SWIR imaging to provide non-destructive insight into fruit development.
Testing
Working with growers to understand existing workflows
Ideation
Exploring how emerging imaging technology could become a usable field tool
Iteration
Developing and refining physical prototypes to understand size and ergonomics
Industry validation
20+ interviews with growers, agronomists and industry experts
Insights from commercial strawberry producers
Technical guidance from Quantum Solutions