Demeter Technologies: Design the Future of Food
Are you ready to move beyond screens and gadgets to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges? The Demeter Technologies studio is a hands-on, innovation-driven experience where design meets agriculture, sustainability, and data science. Our goal is to pioneer the next generation of resilient, equitable food systems using cutting-edge technology. You'll work in interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world challenges, such as designing AI-powered urban farms, creating zero-waste product design, or developing farmer-centric IoT tools for precision agriculture. You will master skills in systems thinking, data visualization, physical prototyping, and stakeholder co-creation, ultimately delivering impactful concepts that transform the food supply chain from soil to table. Join us to leverage your design mind to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for all.
| Project areas | Design focus and scope |
| Automation and robotics | Designing and prototyping agricultural robots, drones, and autonomous machinery for tasks like planting, harvesting, and field analysis, with a focus on human-robot interaction and safety. |
| Data and AI in food systems | Exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and Big Data can be used to predict yields, manage resources, and connect producers directly with consumers through innovative digital platforms. |
| Precision farming and IoT | Designing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, sensor networks, and data visualization tools for farmers to monitor crops, soil health, water use, and livestock in real-time. This includes developing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for complex farm management information systems. |
| Sustainability and circular economy | Innovating new product designs, packaging, and supply chain models to reduce food waste, minimize environmental impact, and promote regenerative or circular economy practices within the food system. |
| Food security and accessibility | Creating local, urban, or indoor farming systems (like vertical farms) or developing resilient, accessible technologies for farming communities facing climate change and resource scarcity. |
Project partner:
- Arianetech Pte Ltd
Project supervisors:
- Dr Aleksandar Kostadinov (aleks_id@nus.edu.sg)
- Mr Soh Eng Keng (ek.soh@nus.edu.sg)
Studio timeslot in Semester 2 AY2025/2026:
- Wednesday 9 am to 12 pm
Examples of past projects:
Automated transplanting system for hydroponics
To transplant germinated seedlings from a germination tray to a larger growing tray.
Student disciplines: Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Life Sciences
Open source IoT farming system
To automate processes, provide real-time data, and optimize resource usage for precision farming and enhanced crop growth.
Student disciplines: Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Optical sensor for precision agriculture
Low-cost real-time optical sensor with an integrated filter to prevent cyanobacteria growth in indoor duckweed farms.
Student disciplines: Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Life Sciences
Rotating vertical farm
A moving farm that redefines farming productivity in a confined space, improving crop yield by 2.5 times.
Student disciplines: Business, Computer Engineering, Engineering Science, Environmental Engineering