SMART HOME • USA • STARTUP
Companion Mobile Application
Mobile companion app for Tertill, the home garden weeding robot
We helped Tertill conceptualize, design, develop & release a new version of the its mobile application used to connect and interact with the Tertill robot. All this in under 5 months.
5 Team members
May 2021 – April 2022 Partnership
5 Team members
May 2021-April 2022 Partnership
The Company and Product
Tertill Corporation is a consumer products company founded by Roomba inventor Joe Jones and veteran roboticist Rory MacKean, Tertill Corporation is headed by Helen Greiner, co-founder of iRobot.
Tertill, is the world’s first robot designed to autonomously weed home gardens without long term human intervention, being a weatherproof and solar-powered robot.
Scope and highlights
Build the MVP version of the mobile companion application for the home garden weeding robot, in 4 months. Our teams had great collaboration with the client ensuring clear communication based on exact specifications and requirements. The app was poised to offer weather updates and at a later stage weather predictions.
Mobile Application Development
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) ,connectivity integration for seamless communication with the Tertill weeding robot.
Implementation of real-time control features, allowing users to control the robot and receive real-time updates about the robot’s state, whereabouts and garden set-up.
Optimization of the mobile app for both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring a consistent and high quality user experience across devices.
UI/UX Design Enhancement
Conducted extensive research to inform a user-centric design approach and address UI/UX challenges, leveraging insights gained throughout the process..
Streamlining user flows and interactions to provide a seamless and engaging user experience when controlling the Embr Wave wristband.
Implementing a cross-platform design strategy.
Cloud Architecture & Implementation
Built a secure and scalable cloud infrastructure on Google Cloud, incorporating Firebase, Cloud Functions, Kubernetes, BigQuery and NoSQL databases.
Tertill has been mentioned in several notable publications
Technologies
React Native
(iOS/Android)
Firebase
Bluetooth
Low Energy
NodeJS
AWS
Lambda/Serverless
BigQuery
Firestore
The Process
The development of the mobile app for the Tertill weeding robot was a meticulous process marked by strategic planning and rigorous execution. From validating React Native’s compatibility for real-time control to designing a robust system architecture and selecting a scalable technology stack, every step was taken to ensure the app’s effectiveness. Cloud infrastructure setup on Google Cloud, coupled with extensive QA and stress testing, further bolstered the app’s reliability across iOS and Android devices. Agile methodologies facilitated iterative development, fostering close collaboration with the Tertill team and ensuring stakeholder alignment throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Simultaneously, a user-centric design approach was upheld, underpinned by extensive research and collaborative workshops to sculpt the app’s features in alignment with client objectives. A comprehensive design system provided a roadmap for seamless adaptation to evolving needs, while interactive prototypes facilitated user testing and informed decision-making. By implementing a cross-platform design strategy, the app harmonized platform-specific UX requirements, resulting in a seamless user experience catering to both iOS and Android users, maximizing usability and engagement.
UI/UX Design Process
Research
Extensive research was meticulously conducted to tackle intricate UI/UX challenges, anchoring a user-centric design approach fueled by invaluable insights gleaned throughout the journey.
Workshops
Through collaborative workshops, we guided the client in sculpting the app’s features, ensuring alignment with their vision and objectives.
Design System
A comprehensive design system was meticulously implemented, providing a roadmap for seamless adaptation to evolving needs while empowering the development team with clarity and efficiency.
Prototyping
Interactive prototypes were meticulously developed, serving as invaluable tools for user testing and assumption validation, fostering informed decision-making and enhancing stakeholder engagement.
Cross-Platform Design
Implementing a cross-platform design strategy, we harmonized platform-specific UX requirements, resulting in an app that effortlessly caters to both iOS and Android users, maximizing usability and engagement through the leverage of each platform’s strengths.
Development Process
Proof of Concept Validation
We built a Proof of Concept to ensure React Native’s suitability for the mobile app, especially for seamless communication and real-time control with the robot via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
System Architecture Design
Developed the comprehensive design of the system’s architecture and meticulously chose the technology stack, guaranteeing a strong and scalable basis for the project’s achievement.
Mobile App Development
Developed the feature-rich mobile application, leveraging React Native, to provide a user-friendly interface and seamless control over the Tertill weeding robot in terms of controlling it, scheduling it and checking his status in real-time along with instructions on how to set-up the garden.
Cloud Infrastructure Setup
Built a secure and scalable cloud infrastructure on Google Cloud, incorporating Firebase, Cloud Functions, Kubernetes, BigQuery and NoSQL databases. It enabled data management, firmware releases, and efficient DevOps practices.
Extensive QA & Stress Testing
Conducted rigorous quality assurance testing to ensure the mobile app’s compatibility with the robot across iOS and Android devices. We also performed stress testing on the robot device to make sure we have a reliable and stable user experience.
Agile Way of Working
Employing a SCRUM Agile methodology, we collaborated closely with the Tertill team, delivering work iteratively in two-week sprints. Regular reviews and demos ensured effective stakeholder management and alignment throughout the project.
The Outcome
Tertill Corporation, led by industry pioneers Joe Jones and Helen Greiner, has introduced the Tertill—a groundbreaking autonomous garden weeding robot. Salt and Pepper developed the MVP version of the Tertill mobile companion app within four months. This app, designed for both iOS and Android, provides weather updates and will include weather predictions in the future.
Our development process was thorough, involving strategic planning, rigorous execution, and extensive QA to ensure app reliability. We utilized React Native for real-time control, set up Google Cloud infrastructure, and followed Agile methodologies for iterative progress. Our user-centric design approach, backed by research and interactive prototypes, resulted in a seamless and engaging cross-platform experience.