The Raspberry Pi is the brain of your FarmBot and has software installed on it that allows it to:

  • Communicate with the web application via MQTT over WiFi or ethernet in order to synchronize (download) the latest schedules and sequences, and upload the latest logs and sensor data.
  • Communicate with the Arduino over USB to send G and F commands and receive sensor data
  • Take photos with a USB or Raspberry Pi camera, and send the photos back to the web application

The Raspberry Pi will need to have FarmBot OS installed in order for FarmBot to work:

FarmBot OS is all the software FarmBot needs already bundled together.

It includes a WiFi configurator component that allows the Pi to create its own WiFi network whenever it cannot connect to the Internet. This allows you to enter WiFi and web app credentials from your laptop, phone, or tablet, which means you never need to hook up a keyboard or monitor to the Raspberry Pi.

Another computer is required

You will need another computer with a microSD card reader to install the Raspberry Pi OS.

Help improve the FarmBot Raspberry Pi software

Submit feature requests, bugs, and code on GitHub for the FarmBot OS

Installing FarmBot OS

In this method, we will install FarmBot OS - an operating system with all the software FarmBot needs bundled together in one package. Once you install FarmBot OS onto your Raspberry Pi, everything should be good to go.

Step 1: Download FarmBot OS

Download the latest FarmBot OS image file here.

Step 2. Write FarmBot OS to the microSD card

You need to use an image writing tool to install FarmBot OS onto your microSD card. Follow the instructions provided by RaspberryPi.org for your operating system:

Step 3. Prepare the Raspberry Pi

  • Plug your microSD card into the Raspberry Pi
  • Plug your Arduino into the Raspberry Pi with a USB cable
  • Optional: plug in a USB camera to the Raspberry Pi

Step 4. Turn on the Raspberry Pi

Plug in the power source to the Raspberry Pi. Depending on your setup, power will be coming from either a standard microUSB cable plugged into a standalone power supply, from a DC/DC buck converter coming from your RAMPS shield, or from a DC/DC buck converter coming straight from your FarmBot’s power supply. Note: The power supplied must be rated to 5V and at least 2A, though 3A is recommended.

Step 5. Configure your FarmBot

Use the FarmBot Configurator (for details, see FarmBot Configurator):

  • Using a phone, tablet or laptop, search for the WiFi network ‘farmbot-xxxx’.
  • Connect to that and open a web browser to farmbot.io/setup
  • Follow the on screen instructions to configure your FarmBot. Once you save your configuration FarmBot will connect to your home WiFi network and to the FarmBot web application.

If you are using a smartphone you may need to disable cellular data to allow your phone’s browser to connect to the configurator.

Check the web app

If all has gone well during your setup, you should now see your FarmBot ‘Online’ in the web application interface.

What’s next?