The Oasis Rail System is an automated train that is designed to make watering plants convenient and effortless. The system is made up from a modified Lego train, Lego track, and “stations” were a variety of technology come into play. The train carries water from a large reservoir to a designated location or a plant. This allows the user to complete the task of watering their plants by pressing a single button to start the process.

The train is run by an Arduino microcontroller which is powered by separate rechargeable 7.4v LiPo  battery pack. These battery packs are each switched on and off via a relay to deliver power to either the motor or pump. The Arduino is essentially the brains of the system. When the Arduino is switched on, it runs through a series of checklists. First, it instantly begins measuring the distance reading from the distance sensor to determine its location. The train is able to distinguish between the Refill Station and the Plant Station due to the different heights of the ceilings at each station. If it is at the shorter distance, it knows it is a the Refill Station. The Refill Station is where water is pumped onto the train. The Plant Station is where the train can dispense water to the plant(s). At the Refill Station, there is a second Arduino, connected to a distance sensor and water pump; it is programmed to detect the presence of the train and fill the water car. The Arduino on the train is programmed to wait sufficiently long  at the Refill Station and then send the locomotive around the track. Once at the Plant Station, a distance sensor detects the tall station ceiling and tells the train to stop; then it triggers the pump to dispense the water from the train into the plant repository. The train then circles back to the Refill Station. The process repeats five times ensuring enough water goes to the plants.

This system is not just designed for the Wayland High School Makerspace. It could be professionally installed in any space were there are plants, but it can be especially useful where plants are in a difficult location to reach. For example, in a dedicated greenhouse plants might be both suspended from the ceiling and on tables and the Oasis Rail System could be set up to water all of those plants.  The Oasis Rail System could also be modified for settings outside an everyday home. It could be utilized in restaurants as an attraction for that business. There it would water the restaurant's plants that hang from the ceiling and attract attention from customers as well. Another use is retirement homes. The residents who have difficulty watering their plants could use the system to accomplish this task and to have some fun. The potential is endless.

The Oasis Rail System can also be sold in the form of a kit. It would come with all the necessary parts for assembly and with sample Arduino code. It would also include detailed instructions for coding and assembly, suspension from a ceiling, track assembly, and station assembly. This kit helps budding engineers learn about coding and electronics in a fun way.

Oasis Rail System is useful because it shows people that simple tasks such as watering plants can be turned into a fun and intriguing activity.  It is a great product for many people, from kids who love trains, to adults who love technology, to teenagers who love building things.