Bangladeshi duo innovate smart watering device, gaining global attention

Although similar devices are available abroad, this smart watering device is the first of its kind in Bangladesh, offering a host of unique features, according to one of its creators.

Zubair Hossain and his wife, Sumaiya Tasnim, had spent three weeks in the United States. Upon their return, they were heartbroken to find that their beloved garden had almost entirely withered due to a lack of water.

The incident deeply affected the couple. Being engineers, they started brainstorming ways to ensure plants could be watered even when homeowners were away. Eventually, to meet their personal needs, they developed a device that solved almost every issue related to watering plants.

When they shared a video of the device on Facebook, it received an overwhelming response from gardening enthusiasts. Following this, they spent a year conducting tests and refining the product. Finally, they launched it for the general public.

Produced by their company, Bongotech, the device has been named the “Smart Watering Device.” Within a month of its release, it received numerous orders from across Bangladesh and even abroad.

What began as a solution to their own problem has now turned into a product-solving issue for many others, said Sumaiya Tasnim, the Chief Operating Officer of Bongotech.

“Our product hit the market on November 20, 2024, but we had to work on it for almost a year beforehand. We wanted to deliver a perfectly fine-tuned product to our customers. Alhamdulillah, the response has been great,” Sumaiya shared.

How the device works 

Imagine you have to leave for work or travel, leaving behind your cherished plants. Who will water them regularly? Or perhaps you find watering your rooftop garden tedious. In such scenarios, this device can be your ultimate companion, taking full responsibility for watering your plants.

The device requires a water and electricity connection. It comes with input and output lines for water, and multiple plants can be connected through the output line. Users can adjust both the water quantity and flow rate for specific plants as needed.

The device is operated through software called the “Smart Watering System.” According to Zubair Hossain, everything about the device can be controlled using this free application.

Firstly, users can schedule watering times—daily, weekly, or every three days. Once set, the device will water the plants automatically, ensuring they are not deprived of water no matter where the user is. As long as there’s a water source at home, the device will handle the rest, Zubair explained.

In addition to scheduled watering, users can water their plants on demand via the app if the device is connected to Wi-Fi. For short-range operations, Bluetooth technology is also available.

Zubair further noted that the app is entirely free to use. It has been built with a robust server to ensure long-term reliability for users.

A proudly Bangladeshi product

Although similar devices exist internationally, Sumaiya Tasnim stated that their smart watering device is the first commercial product of its kind made in Bangladesh. She pointed out that foreign products not only cost more but also lack the advanced features of their device. This makes their locally made product highly promising.

“We’ve tried to deliver something excellent to our customers. The design, the outer casing, everything has been done in Bangladesh. We wanted to ensure it doesn’t look cheap despite being labelled ‘Made in Bangladesh,’” Zubair added.

He also mentioned that all the necessary tools and components for connecting plants can be purchased from their website, eliminating the hassle of searching elsewhere.

Regarding their application, Zubair said, “We’re not looking to profit continuously from users. Our goal is to provide them with a better experience.”

Overwhelming response

“After using the device, my rooftop garden looks greener and fresher. Every morning, I see my plants thriving with life. Earlier, missing a watering session would leave them looking lifeless. But now, that’s no longer an issue.

The best part is that once you schedule the watering, there’s nothing more to worry about. This device completely takes over the responsibility of watering your plants,” wrote Sazedul Haque, a resident of Kapasia, Gazipur, on his personal blog.

Sazedul, who has around 50 plants in his garden, shared, “I love travelling and had been looking for such a technology. When at home, watering wasn’t much of an issue, but during trips, it often got neglected. This device has made watering my plants significantly easier.”

Zubair and Sumaiya revealed that many users, like Sazedul, have expressed satisfaction after using the device. They’ve also received inquiries from abroad, some for personal use and others from individuals interested in starting businesses with the device in foreign markets.

“We’re receiving more responses from overseas,” Sumaiya said. “In Bangladesh, it’s easier to find people to water plants, but abroad, hiring someone for this task is a luxury. This is why the demand is much higher internationally.”

Zubair added, “The device is being sold online domestically. We’ve also sent samples to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Canada. There’s significant demand in the Middle East.”

How to get it

The device can be easily ordered from Bongotech’s website. It comes in two versions, Professional and Lite. The Professional version operates through both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the Lite version functions with Bluetooth only.

The Lite version is priced at Tk 5,000, and the Professional version costs Tk 7,000.

Zubair shared, “We’ve already started exporting the device through foreign distributors. In the future, we plan to manage the exports ourselves. Our dream is for this product to represent Bangladesh internationally while meeting local demand.”

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