KMUTT Students Transform Aquaculture for the Aging Society with Award-Winning IoT Innovation

While freshwater aquaculture in Thailand generates over 25.5 billion THB annually, the industry faces a critical challenge: an aging workforce. Elderly farmers often endure grueling labor, from monitoring water quality to manual feeding every few hours, leading to physical exhaustion and inconsistent yields.

To address this, team “Teletubbies” from the Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) developed an “IoT-based Smart Aquaculture Assistant.” The team, led by Ms. Chanyapak Supsawatkul and featuring members Ms. Ananya Ujjathammarat, Ms. Nannaphat Nantapornniracha, and Ms. Natnasa Lertmahakul, earned the Royal Trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the Popular Vote at the JUMP Thailand Hackathon 2025.

Smart Assistance for Silver Farmers

The innovation utilizes AIS 4G IoT technology to act as a virtual assistant. Sensors track water temperature, pH levels, and dissolved oxygen in real-time, feeding data to the AI Farm platform. Key features include:

• Automation: Pre-set schedules for aerators and feeders allow farmers to rest through the night, significantly improving their health.
• Cost Reduction: AI calculates precise feed amounts, reducing waste (which typically accounts for 60% of costs) and saving 3,000–4,000 THB in monthly electricity bills.
• Voice Command System: Recognizing that elderly users may find complex digital dashboards difficult to navigate, the team integrated a voice-controlled interface for simple, hands-free operation.

Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Tradition

The team designed a flexible business model to ensure accessibility for all, from small 1-rai ponds to 80-rai commercial farms. By collaborating with local fishery cooperatives, they offer a “Trial Before Investment” program.

“The strength of this team lies in their ability to combine technology with a deep understanding of the actual problem through field research,” noted Dr. Boontarika Kasemsanthitham, the team’s advisor.

Looking ahead, the team aims to scale their system for more complex environments like shrimp farming and attract investors to bring this commercial-ready prototype to the wider market, ensuring a sustainable future for Thailand’s small-scale farmers.