The sensors panel allows you to manage FarmBot’s sensors, take measurements, and view historical sensor readings.

Not shown for all bots

If your FarmBot kit did not include any sensors (Express kits), then the sensors panel will not be shown in the app. You can override this using the HIDE SENSORS setting.

Creating sensors

To create a new sensor, press EDIT, and then the button. To define the sensor, provide a Name, choose a Pin #, and specify if the sensor is Digital or Analog. Pressing STOCK SENSORS will add all of the standard sensors included with your FarmBot kit.

Pin numbers are required and must be unique.

When finished editing, press SAVE.

Reading sensors

To manually read a sensor, press its READ SENSOR button. FarmBot will then read the sensor and display the value next to the sensor name. Digital sensors will provide a value of either 0 or 1, while analog sensors will provide a value between 0 and 1023.

You can also read sensors from sequences by using the READ SENSOR command. For more information, see the read sensor command documentation.

Historical readings

Use the SENSOR HISTORY section of the panel to view sensor readings from the past. Optionally, you can filter by SENSOR, TIME PERIOD, and/or X, Y, and Z coordinates. The DEVIATION field can be used to filter within a range of locations around the specified coordinates. To remove all current filters, press CLEAR FILTERS.

Manual readings

You can track custom garden metrics over time without the use of a physical sensor connected to your FarmBot’s electronics by manually adding sensor readings. For example, you could create a sensor named “Frost days” and every day that you experience frost at your garden site, manually add a corresponding reading.

To manually add a sensor reading, click the button, enter the reading details, and press SAVE.

Deleting sensors

To delete a sensor, press edit and then the sensor’s button. Finish editing by pressing back.

You cannot delete a sensor that is in-use by a sequence.

Hiding sensors

If you do not plan to use any sensors, use the HIDE SENSORS toggle in the app settings panel to remove the sensors panel.

What’s next?