Product development process of a digital irrigameter: a water sizing proposal for sprinkler irrigation process in different cultures

Abstract

This paper aimed to propose the development of a digital irrigimeter, in order to assist in water sizing, to be used in the sprinkler irrigation process, in different cultures. From the realization of a market research, it was verified the existence of a gap represented by individuals who have difficulty in dimensioning the water, to be used in irrigation. Thus, it was used the Hargreaves-Samani methodology, for the realization of calculations of the optimum amount of water to be precipitated, per square meter of planted area, weighted by crop coefficients and local soil. So, customer requirements, such as flexibility and response speed were translated into technical characteristics of the final product. Thus, the cost of the final product is directly associated with the level of technology adopted in each component of the product.

Keywords

• flexibility
• innovation
• irrigameter
• product development process
• response speed.