SparkFun
AgXRP Starter Kit - DIY - Beta
· MPN: KIT-30713
Imagine a classroom where students do not just read about the future of agriculture they build it. The DIY AgXRP Starter Kit is an open-source autonom...
Imagine a classroom where students do not just read about the future of agriculture they build it. The DIY AgXRP Starter Kit is an open-source autonomous robotics platform that bridges the gap between STEM education and sustainable farming. By providing the core electronics and encouraging you to 3D-print your own frame this kit offers an accessible system that turns complex precision agriculture into an engaging hands-on learning experience. Students will gain practical skills in programming data analysis and automation as they design build and optimize their own small-scale smart farms.This kit goes beyond basic robotics by providing an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates robotics precision agriculture and horticultural science enabling students to tackle real-world farming challenges.Custom Smart Farms: Learn about robotics agriculture and 3D printing by constructing your own automated plant care system.Data-Driven Growth: Utilize data analysis capacitive soil sensors and peristaltic pumps to optimize crop growth and completely automate watering cycles.Open-Source Access: Gain full access to all 3D printable files a comprehensive parts list and detailed assembly instructions to build and modify your system.As technology in modern farming advances it’s essential that educational tools evolve to prepare the next generation of farmers to meet global food demands. From coding sensors to optimizing harvest cycles this kit equips students to explore automation sustainability and data-driven agriculture all while growing their own food and deepening their understanding of the technology shaping our future.Educator Discount Available: SparkFun and its partners are proud to work closely with the education community. We offer a significant discount on the AgXRP Starter Kit with an Educator account! Please contact support@sparkfun.com to get started.Hands-On Agricultural AutomationThis DIY version of the AgXRP Kit includes the essential electronic hardware and tubing to create a functional automated plant-care station. However this economical version does NOT come with a physical frame. You can use our open-source files to 3D-print the enclosures and structural supports yourself!The SparkFun XRP Controller serves as the brain of your farm coordinating incoming sensor data and managing the timing of your automation cycles. It features a Raspberry Pi® RP2350B dual-core processor preprogrammed with AgXRP firmware; 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM; a low-power accelerometer + gyroscope 6-DoF IMU (LSM6DSOX from STMicroelectronics®); two Qwiic® connectors for easy integration of sensors and accessories; two dual-channel motor drivers for four motors total; four servo headers; a user button; a full-color RGB LED; 0.1in. headers for electrical expansion possibilities and more. Wireless connectivity is available via a Raspberry Pi® RM2 radio module enabling 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth® for remote control and IoT projects.Instead of just observing a plant students actively build the systems that keep it healthy.Automated Watering: Students construct a custom peristaltic pump using the Hobby Motor with Encoder Deep Groove Ball Bearings and the AgXRP Single Pump Enclosure. This allows for the precise delivery of water through the included Latex Tubing.Accurate Soil Monitoring: The SparkFun Qwiic Soil Moisture Sensor connects to the controller via a Flexible Qwiic Cable to provide real-time data on exactly when a plant needs hydration.DIY Structural Support: You will 3D print the AgXRP frames and enclosures to provide a stable (and potentially custom) foundation for your electronics during long-term experiments.Looking to expand your setup? You can add up to three AgXRP Pump & Soil Moisture Sensor Expansion Packs to your DIY AgXRP Starter Kit allowing you to automate and monitor four independent planting zones at the same time.Collaborative STEM EcosystemTo ensure this platform prepares students for real-world challenges we partnered with organizations driving actual change in communities nationwide. This includes leading academic institutions such as Cornell University and the University of Idaho.Because this is a Beta release we are actively looking for educators students and community partners to help shape its future. Whether you want to pilot the AgXRP contribute to curriculum development or support broader outreach efforts you are joining a growing community dedicated to building the future of food one line of code at a time.
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 2.4GHz WiFi
- 2.4GHz WiFi is the common wireless network band used by many routers and embedded devices. It matters here because the module can use WiFi for firmware updates, separate from its Bluetooth serial function.
- encoder
- A device attached to a motor or shaft that reports movement, such as rotation steps or position. In a pump system, an encoder can help measure or control how much the motor has turned, which affects how repeatable the watering amount can be.
- Gyroscope
- A gyroscope measures rotation, such as how fast a board is turning around its X, Y, and Z axes. This matters for projects like gesture controls, balancing robots, and motion tracking where tilt or rotation changes need to be detected.
- Headers
- Rows of metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- IMU
- An Inertial Measurement Unit combines motion sensors to measure movement and orientation. It matters for asset tracking because it can detect movement, tilt, vibration, or changes in direction.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- peristaltic pump
- A pump that moves liquid by squeezing flexible tubing in a rolling motion, so the liquid only touches the inside of the tube. This matters for classroom watering projects because it can dose small amounts of water without needing the pump mechanism to be in contact with the water.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- RGB
- Short for red, green and blue, usually referring to an LED that can mix those three colours. It matters because controlling an RGB LED teaches how separate outputs combine to create different colours.
- servo
- A servo is a motor with built-in position control, usually told to move to a specific angle by a control signal. It matters when you need repeatable movement, such as steering, arms, flaps, or linkages, rather than continuous spinning.
Find this product in
