Avanade Intelligent
Garden
The Avanade Intelligent Garden is designed to support the plight of urban trees. They filter air pollution, cool the air, support wildlife, and boost community wellbeing – yet they face immense challenges due to climate change. A digital experience that showcases how technology and AI can help support urban trees.
Background
The Ask
To preserve and enhance the benefits of urban trees, cities must implement resilient planting strategies, prioritise species diversity, and invest in maintenance and protection efforts. Technology can be a partner for good to help solve these problems.
The garden is equipped with sensors that track tree health—monitoring growth, sap flow, soil conditions, air quality, and weather patterns. AI analyses this data, spotting trends and predicting future conditions to provide simple, actionable advice.
You can talk to the trees! Through this web-based app, visitors can have one-on-one conversations with the trees, learning what specific care they need and how they are faring. Trees will even alert their custodians if they anticipate issues like over- or under-watering. Rather than relying on automated irrigation systems or robotic gardeners, trees are empowered to provide insights that enable human custodians to make sustainable, resource-efficient decisions.
Approach
AI and sensor-based monitoring offer a revolutionary approach to urban gardening by providing real-time insights into urban greenspace health and environmental conditions.
The Avanade Intelligent Garden addresses these challenges by deploying an integrated system of sensors and AI-powered analytics to enhance urban tree survival rates and optimise maintenance strategies. By leveraging Cloud Services from Microsoft Azure and hardware from partners such as ePlant, it allows users to query garden data through natural language, democratising access to critical insights.
This data-driven approach enables custodians to make informed decisions, ensuring trees and plants receive the precise care they need to thrive. AI-powered solutions such as the Avanade developed "TreeTalk", allow trees to communicate their needs, flagging issues such as dehydration or environmental stress before they become critical.
By understanding the problem and leveraging intelligent technology, we can transform urban tree management from reactive care to proactive stewardship, creating healthier, more resilient green spaces for future generations.
The Outcome
Building an intelligent garden requires a combination of readily available hardware and trusted cloud-based services to enable seamless data collection, analysis, and interaction with garden insights. These components create a dynamic and responsive system, allowing trees, plants, and pollinators to be monitored and nurtured with precision.
For the Avanade Intelligent Garden, the team utilised a wide variety of sensors, microcontrollers, embedded PCs, communication technologies and Cloud Services.
A standout feature of the Avanade Intelligent Garden is TreeTalk, an AI-powered interface enabling visitors to interact with trees, learning about their current health, environmental conditions, and care needs. This human-centered AI approach ensures that urban planners, city councils, and green space custodians can make data-driven decisions that promote the long-term survival and well-being of urban trees.
Through projects like the Avanade Intelligent Garden, AI and IoT demonstrate their potential to revolutionise horticulture, improving not just the survival rates of trees and plants, but also promoting sustainability and enhancing community engagement in urban environments.
The Personas and Journeys
Margaret Ellis - Show Judge
An RHS Chelsea Flower Show Judge who is a horticulturalist with over 30 years of experience in garden design, specialising in sustainable practices and native flora. Holds a degree in Botany and a diploma in Garden Design.
She is passionate about promoting biodiversity and educating the public on the importance of conservation. Enjoys visiting gardens around the world and has a particular fondness for Japanese Zen gardens.
Margaret is very detail-oriented, discerning, and approachable. Known for her constructive feedback and mentoring young gardeners. She values creativity but insists on adhering to horticultural standards.
She believes that a garden should not only be visually appealing but also serve a purpose, such as attracting pollinators or providing habitat. Advocates for innovative designs that incorporate eco-friendly materials and practices.
Introduction
On arrival to the garden, our judge will meet with the garden designers to receive a two-minute introduction talk to the garden. The garden designers will out-line what was proposed in the garden brief, and the technology used within the garden.
Garden Walk-
through
Following on from the introduction the judge will then begin their walk around the garden. Here they will be able to experience the garden, and the flow designed by the garden designers. Along the way keeping in mind the marking criteria, and the brief that was submitted to the RHS. As the judges walk through the garden the sensors and technology in place needs to not distract from the garden experience.
Pavilion
Once the judge arrives at the pavilion, they will then enter the garden “command centre” the hub of the garden where there will be three 43inch portrait screens, set into the back wall. As per the technology used in the garden, the screens displayed here need to feel integrated and part of the garden experience.
Dashboard
The garden dashboard is focused on providing insight on how the garden is doing, pulling data from the trees and different sensors around the garden. Suggesting the gardeners/users' actions to help correct any issues the trees are facing, that could result in slower growth or death. The dashboard screens will also include a QR code for the judge to access the web app, and further interrogate the data and talk with the trees.
Web App
Finally, our judge navigates to the web application on their personal device. Here they will be able to look at historical data from the trees and see how the changing conditions have affected the trees, along with how the AI was able to suggest ways to encourage growth and sustain the trees. Here they are also able to launch TreeTalk to communicate to the different trees and experience their different personalities.
David Kim - VIP Guest
A VIP guest at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show who is a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at a mid-market company specialising in AI-driven solutions for various industries, including agriculture and environmental management. Holds a PhD in Computer Science with a focus on machine learning.
He is passionate about leveraging AI to optimise processes and improve sustainability in farming and gardening. Enjoys exploring how technology can transform traditional practices and enhance productivity.
David is innovative, strategic, and results-oriented. Known for his ability to connect the dots between technology and practical applications. He values collaboration and is eager to learn from others.
He is at the event to network with industry leaders, discover innovative applications of AI in horticulture, and explore potential partnerships that align with his company's mission of sustainability.
Introduction
On arrival to the garden, our team will welcome the VIP guest and give them a brief introduction talk to the garden. Highlighting the technology used, and the relationship with garden designers.
Garden Walk-
through
Following on from the introduction the VIP guest will then be free to walk around the garden. Here they will be able to experience the garden, and the flow designed by the garden designers. Our team will be on site to answer any questions about the garden or technology the guests have.
Pavilion
Once the VIP guest arrives at the pavilion, they will then enter the garden “command centre” the hub of the garden where there will be three 43inch portrait screens, set into the back wall. These screens will be showing a video showcasing the narrative of how the garden application works.
Dashboard
The garden dashboard is focused on providing insight on how the garden is doing, pulling data from the trees and different sensors around the garden. Suggesting the gardeners/users' actions to help correct any issues the trees are facing, that could result in slower growth or death. The dashboard screens will also include a QR code for the VIP guest to access the web app, and further interrogate the data and talk with the trees.
Web App
Finally, our VIP guest navigates to the web application on their personal device. Here they will be able to look at historical data from the trees and see how the changing conditions have affected the trees, along with how the AI was able to suggest ways to encourage growth and sustain the trees. Here they are also able to launch TreeTalk to communicate to the different trees and experience their different personalities.
Emma Thompson - General Attendee
An RHS Chelsea Flower Show General Attendee who is a passionate amateur gardener and member of a local gardening club. A retired marketing manager she spends her time tending to her garden and exploring local nurseries.
She enjoys learning about new plant varieties, garden design, and sustainable gardening practices. Loves attending flower shows and workshops to connect with other gardening enthusiasts.
Emma is curious, sociable, and enthusiastic about all things green. Known for her friendly demeanour and willingness to share gardening tips with others.
She is at the event seeking inspiration for her home garden, wants to discover new plants, and hopes to socialise with fellow gardeners and industry professionals.
Introduction
On arrival to the garden, the general attendee approaches one of the garden ambassadors who is able to give an introduction talk to the garden. They highlight the different types of technology used and explain how it helps to sustain the garden.
Garden Viewing
Following on from the introduction the general attendee will then begin their walk around the outside of the garden. They will be able to see into different aspects of the garden from different viewpoints around it.
Pavilion Viewing
Once the general attendee arrives at the pavilion, they will be able to see into from a window on the side of the structure. They will see movement across the three 43inch screens and be intrigued to know what they are showing.
Dashboard
The garden dashboard is focused on providing insight on how the garden is doing, pulling data from the trees and different sensors around the garden. Suggesting the gardeners/users' actions to help correct any issues the trees are facing, that could result in slower growth or death. The general attendee is able to see a glimpse of the dashboard through the pavilion windows.
Web App
Finally, our general attendee navigates to the web application on their personal device. Here they will be able to look at historical data from the trees and see how the changing conditions have affected the trees, along with how the AI was able to suggest ways to encourage growth and sustain the trees. Here they are also able to launch TreeTalk to communicate to the different trees and experience their different personalities.
Research
In order for the application to be able to inform users of when a tree needed attention or care vast research had to be conducted into the different conditions the trees needed to flourish. The different sensors around the garden tracked core metrics, such as soil PH, tree core temperature, lean, and the amount of growth over a 24 hour period.
Once the data about the trees in the garden had been collated, it was then fed into the AI so the TreeTalk application would be able respond and understand the trees current conditions, and make suggestions on how to achieve the optimal conditions to extend the trees life.
Wireframes
Wireframes were created using design thinking co-deisgn session with SMEs and the garden design time. As the web application was going to viewed predominantly on mobile devices at the flower show, it was vital to focus on a mobile first experience.
Visual Design
Project Feedback
“Niki’s ability to self-organise, collaborate effectively with external partners, and manage complex stakeholder relationships demonstrates qualities I associate with strong leadership. She presents herself as confident, self-assured, and approachable - traits that not only make her highly effective in her role but also inspire trust and engagement from those around her.”
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