Skip to main content

Meet OKO, it automates plant care so you can easily go green

Oko
Oko / Oko

If you like the idea of a home full of lush green life, but can’t quite imagine caring for it all, then the new OKO plant care assistant could be for you.

OKO takes the technology used by farmers to manage large scale crops, and puts that in your home.

Recommended Videos

All that means a selection of smart sensors that can keep a close eye on your plant, and let you know its needs via your phone.

The idea is to give you a verdant home without the stress or guesswork that can come with being a plant parent.

At the time of publishing OKO is on Kickstarter where it has already beaten it’s goal and still has 27 days to go.

How does OKO work?

The OKO unit can be attached to your plant’s soil where it is able to track water, temperature, air humidity and pH.

The OKO app will connect to the smart sensor and then alerts you, like getting a message, when your plant has a need to tend to.

OKO uses WiFi and Bluetooth for connectivity and features a rechargeable lithium battery that should last up to three months on a single one hour charge via USB-C.

The app also features a care calendar so you can see when you last watered, added fertilizer, or took a photo to add into that timeline.

All this tech comes from an MBE-awarded agritech engineer that works in just this area with farmers at scale. So you can expect this to be well thought out and built to task.

How much is OKO?

At time of publishing, you can back this project on Kickstarter to get in on some early backer deals.

Buy a single or a bundle for multiple plants. Prices start at $78 for a full sensor, for super early birds, then move to $85 for Kickstarter backers. Or go for a twin pack from $130 or the full five pack from $300.

Luke Edwards
Luke has over two decades of experience covering tech, science and health. Among many others, Luke writes about health tech…
Best tech for new grads: From dorm to office
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in silver.

Graduation season is just around the corner, which means it's about time that you start thinking about the gifts you're going to get for new graduates. Some students will head into college and move into dorms, while some students are leaving that chapter behind and will instead find their way into an office. With those in mind, we've rounded up this list of offers featuring discounts for some of the best tech for new grads.

Anker 332 USB-C Hub -- $25 $35 29% off

Read more
Earth Day with Reolink: Protecting nature, one camera at a time
earth day with reolink protecting nature one camera at a time hero crop

This Earth Day, Reolink is celebrating the incredible intersection of technology and conservation. With help from environmentally conscious users and dedicated NGO partners, Reolink is proving that small actions, powered by smart outdoor technology, can lead to a big impact for our planet's wildlife and natural landscapes.
Smarter, Greener Outdoor Monitoring
Reolink's lineup of outdoor cameras, including the Go PT Ultra, Go Ranger PT, and TrackMix LTE, do more than safeguard homes. They empower nature lovers to connect with the wild while treading lightly on the environment.

Each camera is engineered for sustainability and performance. Solar power compatibility keeps them running without contributing to battery waste. Their rugged, waterproof designs ensure they survive the toughest outdoor elements. And with stunning 4K 8MP ultra-clear footage, they capture the beauty of wildlife — from the shimmer of a bird's wings to the subtle prowling of a fox at dusk — without disturbing natural behavior.

Read more
Roku expands smart home lineup with two upcoming security cameras
The Roku Battery Camera on a tree

Roku might be known for its streaming sticks and smart TVs, but the brand also has a strong presence in the smart home market. From video doorbells and smart lights to plugs and motion sensors, Roku’s smart home catalog is surprisingly robust. The catalog is set to expand in the coming months, as Roku has officially revealed two upcoming security cameras -- the Roku Battery Camera and Roku Battery Camera Plus.

The Roku Battery Camera Plus is the most enticing of the two, as it can get up to two years of battery life on a single charge (the Battery Camera gets up to six months). They can also be combined with an optional solar panel to extend their battery life. Beyond that, most specs are shared -- including 1080p resolutions, color night vision, and the option to receive motion alerts when activity is detected around your home.

Read more