🌱 Introducing the CSSGH: Ajinomatrix's Low-Cost Autonomous Smart Greenhouse Prototype

Gavriel Wayenberg
Jul 11
4 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

At Ajinomatrix, we're proud to unveil a major milestone in our BioSphere initiative: the first successful deployment of our CSSGH (Closet-Size Smart GreenHouse) — a fully operational, self-sustaining aquaponics system powered entirely by solar energy and driven by intelligent automation.

Designed, built, and stabilized in just a few weeks, this prototype demonstrates the possibility of home-scale food production using a closed-loop aquaponic model — all at a component-level cost of under €750 - in working order and populated.

💡 Yes, you read that right: our proof-of-concept system, including solar panels, smart sensors, native aquatic fauna, edible plants, and real-time automation, was constructed at cost for under 745 euros — proving that smart, resilient food ecosystems can be both low-cost and high-impact.

But let us be clear — this is not a commercial sales announcement at that price. The CSSGH is a research-grade prototype, built as part of our Ajinomatrix BioSphere R&D program, and intended to serve as an inspiration and demonstration for:

Schools and universities looking to replicate smart greenhouse systems
Regional food innovation labs exploring autonomous food production
Space research programs and life-support system simulations
NGOs and urban agriculture projects needing ultra-low-cost infrastructure
Investors and policy-makers seeking scalable, smart resilience models

🌐 What Makes the CSSGH Unique?

🌞 100% solar-powered with full loop operation
💧 Autonomous pump control via Tuya-compatible devices
🐟 Integrated biotope with fish, shrimp, moss, and edible plants
🧠 Sensor-driven smart automation: refill detection, overflow protection, scheduled irrigation
🪴 Two-level aquaponic tray system with aqua-regulation plants such as papyrus; salads, and also thermal-regulating ground flora
📷 Optional WiFi camera for remote monitoring and weather station for further culture automation
🧪 Proven autonomy even in poor weather conditions

🔧 Built at Cost. But That's Not the Point.

While the component budget sits under €750, that figure excludes R&D hours, sensor calibration, testing cycles, structural prototyping, and system integration — all of which are key to bringing such a system to life.

Rather than selling kits at cost, we are now inviting partners, institutions, and early adopters to join us in the replication, scaling, and customization of the CSSGH system under license — adapted to your climate, community, or curriculum.

🚀 What’s Next?

Ajinomatrix is now:

Preparing smartification packages and field guides for reproducible CSSGH setups
Exploring collaborative deployments in Finland, Japan, and Israel
Building data collection modules for nutrient flow, fish behavior, and plant growth
Seeking funding and university partners for next-gen BioSphere replications

🤝 Want to Collaborate?

If you're:

A school that wants to install a CSSGH as an educational tool
A university interested in live ecosystem replication
A startup or lab looking to localize the system for commercial use
A sustainability investor exploring urban or resilient food solutions

👉 Reach out to us at info@ajinomatrix.org or via our LinkedIn page.

UPDATE - 28-10-25 - Ajinomatrix BioSphere unveils CSSGH: a €750, solar-smart micro-farm

Ajinomatrix BioSphere Labs completed a closet-size aquaponics PoC (CSSGH) that grows leafy greens on two levels with a 45 L aquatic base, papyrus phytoremediation, and solar-assisted smart automation. Achieving week-scale autonomy—and recent near full-loop runs—the CSSGH is designed for reproducibility in schools, labs, and space-analog studies. Watch the making-of and see the full build breakdown on AJXBSHDS (sales info) > See here

Video:

Together, let’s reinvent living systems for the planet, one smart greenhouse at a time. Purchase options (in development) available here on the Ajinomatrix BioSphere eShop. At the moment orders being mostly on invitation it is better to contact us first. Thank you in advance for your interest!

UPDATE: 22-11-25 - Ajinomatrix BioSphere hits winter full-loop with the CSSGH micro-farm!

Ajinomatrix BioSphere Labs reached a de-facto perpetual solar loop on the Closet-Size Smart GreenHouse (CSSGH): ~46 days of continuous operation across early-winter conditions, producing lettuce, cabbage, basil, and sustaining a 45 L aquatic biome. The system was shut down for freeze protection with 78% battery remaining, confirming solar input ≥ load at this scale (200 W PV + ~320 Wh battery + smart intermittency).

The CSSGH is low-maintenance (~1 h/month), compact, and reproducible for schools and labs.Read the full breakdown, watch the making-of, and download the autonomy addendum on AJXBSHDS on demand. See here

External recognition

Our winter full-loop result also drew congratulations from Olivia Frey (DACH Sales Manager) at MyFood, a seasoned European urban-farming operator. Their public track record—1,300+ installs, 360 t harvested (2024), 2,000+ citizens nourished, and ROI guidance of 4–6 years on a 22 m² unit—underscores how practical, low-maintenance food systems change lives at scale. While non-competing, MyFood’s mission aligns closely with Ajinomatrix BioSphere: they deploy family/community greenhouses; we engineer closet-size, sensorized, solar-autonomous micro-farms, more oriented towards research and education.