The future of
crop and soil monitoring

For my master degree project at the Advanced Product Design programme at Umeå Institute of Design I designed the Neolith Spear. It is an all-in-one data-gathering device aimed at enhancing farming sustainability and resilience to climate change. The device measures various parameters both above and below ground, sending data to mobile devices for farmers to create efficient, optimized, and economical farming strategies. The Neolith Spear can, for example, measure naturally occurring nitrogen levels in the soil, helping farmers avoid overfertilization and unnecessary costs. It remains in the soil throughout the growing season to monitor crop and root health, and its ergonomic handle attachment allows for multiple soil samples across the field, to update soil maps and enabling spontaneous sampling after events like heavy rainfalls.

Project: Master Thesis
Collaboration partner: Propeller Design
Time span: 20 weeks
When: Spring 2024

The top sensor module, reminiscent of a clover, houses numerous sensors that provide a comprehensive 360-degree view of the crop’s current nitrogen levels, along with other vital data such as precipitation and temperature.

When the spear is pushed into the ground, the cover retracts,
exposing the sensory spear tip.

The handle attachment features ergonomic bulges to provide additional palm support when the farmer needs to take numerous soil samples.

The spear's clear shape and distinct silhouette make it an unmistakable icon in the field, symbolizing its presence as the farming tool of the future. Its colorful top, reminiscent of a flower, adds a visual accent, enhancing its recognizability.