AgroQR uses QR code pixels embedded with specially designed proprietary compounds that undergo color changes in response to environmental variables. Each pixel is in one of two binary (boolean) states, with these states representing distinct color changes. These color changes are driven by calibrated chemical kinetics, where our proprietary chemical compounds react to environmental factors, moving towards a state of chemical equilibrium.
The extent and rate of these reactions depend on the environmental conditions, and the resulting color shift encodes data about these conditions. The binary color change operates like a boolean bit-flip in memory, where each color transition signifies the encoding of new information. The number of possible states an AgroQR device can be in at a particular time is given as 2 to the power of 𝑛, where 𝑛 is the number of special pixels in the QR code.
By monitoring these changes between consecutive scans, we can track which chemical parameters caused the shift and how significant the change was, measured in parts per million (ppm). The chemical kinetics of each proprietary compound are calibrated to respond to specific environmental factors, ensuring precise data capture. Autonomous drones scan our QR code designs, capturing the updated color states. By flying over the codes at regular intervals, the drones ensure that we can track changes over time and extract meaningful insights. This method provides a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional sensor networks, delivering accuracy comparable to IoT-based sensors, all without the need for active energy consumption or complex infrastructure.