If Acorn discovers 300 aphids across 2, 15m^2 patch, an optimal placement of ladybugs exists based on experiments, historical data, ladybug availability, etc. Does this project aim to encompass community experiments? I like the idea of setting up multi-farm experiments for those interested in participating since that could help propel farm profitability and lower the amount of time required to manage a farm. So in the ladybug example, one might estimate the impact of ladybugs on aphids over time as a function of distance between ladybug disbursement and how many were released considering crops, and weather.
So in the future when aphids are discovered by Acorn, the software could estimate the financial impact and enable a farmer to choose the best course of action for them or go with default recommendations of maximizing profit (ie purchase ladybugs and ladybug disbursement container and apply them at a rate of 1ladybug/10 aphids detected ).
Managing experiments might be easier with something like AWS’ IoT Greengrass.
In terms of raising money and creating value, the project might provide users access to research that could be applied by the robot. Users who participate in experiments with proper evidence get discounts.