Ark Smart Planter: Your personal automated desktop oasis
Created by Adam Ostroff
The smart terrarium kit that automates all environmental conditions-create a thriving, refreshing desktop ecosystem in minutes.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Factory Phase Begins: Building ARK the Right Way
29 days ago
– Tue, Mar 03, 2026 at 07:18:31 AM
Hi Everyone,
We want to share an important and transparent update about where ARK stands and what the next phase looks like.
Over the past several months, we’ve pushed ARK to the point where the full system is operating as designed. Lighting, watering, airflow, misting, and environmental sensing are all functioning together as an integrated ecosystem. The hardware platform is stable, and we’re very happy with the user experience and overall design direction. We've also been making some great improvements to the user experience and overall product that are pretty exciting.
Now we’re entering the most critical stage of any hardware product: manufacturing.
To make sure ARK meets the quality standards we expect — and that you deserve — we are heading into final manufacturing validation. This includes on-site factory reviews, detailed tooling quotes, design-for-manufacturing adjustments, and production planning. This step is essential to ensure the product is reliable, scalable, and built correctly from day one.
Because we are prioritizing doing this the right way rather than rushing, we will need to adjust our delivery timeline. Our updated target is early summer. We know delays are never ideal, but we firmly believe this extra time will ensure a better, more dependable product in your hands.
From a product standpoint, our approach for the first production run is focused on delivering a rock-solid core system. ARK will ship with full environmental automation, sensor monitoring, scheduling, and over-the-air update capability. Advanced software features will continue to roll out through updates after launch. This approach reduces risk, improves reliability, and allows us to build long-term intelligence into the platform over time.
Behind the scenes, we are also:
• Finalizing tooling and production specifications • Locking component sourcing for stability and cost control • Continuing firmware refinement • Expanding plant kit partnerships • Preparing for compliance and certification testing
This is the stage where ARK transitions from a prototype to a true production product. It’s complex, but it’s also incredibly exciting.
Your support made it possible for us to reach this point. We’re committed to transparency and will continue sharing progress as we move through factory selection, tooling, and production.
Thank you for believing in this vision and for building this ecosystem with us.
More updates soon.
— Adam & the Plantelligence Team 🌿
🌱 Plantelligence Update: CES, Prototypes, and What’s Next
2 months ago
– Fri, Jan 23, 2026 at 11:38:05 AM
Hi Everyone,
We wanted to share a quick but meaningful update on where Plantelligence and ARK are today, and what we’ve been focused on behind the scenes.
Over the past couple months, we’ve been advancing ARK from concept into a fully functioning system. The core hardware is built and operational, including the environmental monitoring and control systems that regulate lighting, watering, airflow, humidity, and temperature in a soil-based ecosystem. Seeing ARK operate as a complete system has been a major milestone for us.
Most recently, we publicly showcased ARK at CES, which was a huge moment for the project. CES allowed us to put the product in front of industry professionals, potential partners, and technology leaders, and the response was extremely encouraging. We had strong interest from across consumer tech, hospitality, and corporate gifting, and the feedback validated both the design direction and the underlying technology.
From a product stage perspective, we are now in the late prototype / pre-production phase. Our current focus is on refining the design for manufacturability, finalizing internal electronics and firmware, and continuing development of the companion app. This phase is all about making sure ARK is reliable, scalable, and ready to be produced to the quality standard we expect. Top to bottom we want the user experience and functionality to be seamless.
We are also building out our web platform and working on partnerships with some amazing plant suppliers so that we can offer many different options of plants and hardscape decorations in addition to our current plant kits that will let you add rare and unique plants, have plant drops and expand your ecosystem.
We also want to thank those that made it out to come visit us at CES. Meeting you all and geeking out about Ark was an amazing experience.
We’re incredibly grateful for your support and patience. Your backing is what allowed us to reach this stage, and we’re excited to keep moving forward and sharing progress as we get closer to production.
More updates coming soon.
— Adam & the Plantelligence Team 🌿
BackerKit surveys are coming!
4 months ago
– Mon, Dec 01, 2025 at 10:59:02 AM
Soon, you’ll receive an email from us with a special link to your BackerKit survey. It’s essential to respond to your survey as quickly as possible since we need this information to fulfill your rewards.
You do not need to create a BackerKit account to fill out your survey. When you receive the survey invite email, click the survey link to respond. Answer the questions about your reward preferences, provide shipping information, and purchase add-on items if you like. You don’t have access to this survey link yet, but it will be available soon via email!
After you respond to your survey, you can go back later and change your responses at any time before we close the surveys and get our final counts.
Due to the volatility of shipping prices globally right now, shipping fees for this project will be calculated at a later date once we have the best estimates for everyone. We plan to enter & charge backers for shipping a month or two before fulfillment when we have better estimates of what it will cost to ship backers rewards. We will alert backers when shipping costs are finalized & before we charge your cards in your BackerKit survey. We will keep you informed all along the way!
If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page at
If you used your Facebook credentials to log in to your crowdfunding account, the BackerKit survey is sent to the email address associated with your Facebook account. If you have another email address that you prefer to use, please contact Backerkit support
After surveys are sent, if you did not receive the email, and you Signed in with Apple ID, your email address might be a private relay email address. We can help locate your survey and update your email address, please message us or post a comment with your Backer ID or Pledge # found on your confirmation. You can learn more about your email hiding for your Apple ID here.
-Plantelligence Team
WOW. What an absolutely incredible journey!
5 months ago
– Fri, Oct 31, 2025 at 07:01:52 AM
Because of YOU — our backers, believers, and early adopters — ARK is officially funded and moving into full production! From day one, our mission was simple: make growing beautiful, healthy plants effortless through technology and design. Seeing thousands of people around the world share that vision has been nothing short of inspiring.
🌿 What Happens Now
We’re not slowing down for a second. Our team is already transitioning into the next phase:
Finalizing development of hardware
Locking in components
Kicking off small batch prototyping
Preparing the Plantelligence app for rollout
You’ll start receiving regular development updates as we progress — including behind-the-scenes photos, factory footage, beta testing highlights, and packaging previews. We want you to be part of the build, every step of the way.
🌱 A Community That’s Growing
You didn’t just back a product — you helped create a smarter, healthier way to bring nature indoors. We’re incredibly proud to have you with us from the very beginning.
📣 Stay Connected
We’ll continue posting updates here, and we’ll send out the survey soon to lock in order details, addresses, and add-ons.
From our entire team:
Thank you for believing in ARK.
And get ready — the next chapter is going to be exciting.
— Team Plantelligence
🌿 Update #4 — The Bonsai Sanctuary Has Arrived! + Stretch Goals Revealed!
6 months ago
– Tue, Oct 14, 2025 at 07:01:45 AM
Backers — you’ve done it again. We’ve had an incredible first 2 weeks, and thanks to your amazing support, the Plantelligence ARK is thriving with over 600 backers and counting!
Now, it’s time to reveal something truly special that many people have been asking for…
🌳 Introducing the Bonsai Sanctuary Kit
The newest addition to the Plantelligence ecosystem — Bonsai Sanctuary — brings artistry, calm, and nature’s wisdom into your ARK.
Each kit will include a carefully selected young bonsai species paired with premium bonsai soil to create a miniature landscape of balance and beauty.
It’s more than just a plant — it’s a living sculpture that evolves with you over time.
Designed to bring harmony, focus, and a touch of timeless serenity into your home.
Backers will have their choice of one 6"-8" bonsai; Golden Gate Ficus, Dwarf Jade, or Hawaiian Umbrella. We recommend the Rainforest escape decoration kit. Bonsai choice will be chosen by survey of the pledge manager prior to shipping.
⚙️ Stretch Goals — Let’s Grow Together!
Your incredible momentum has opened the door to unlock even more possibilities for ARK. Here’s what’s coming next:
⛰️ $200K — Stone Backwall Upgrade
Add height and presence to your ARK with a sculpted layered slate stone backwall, designed to fit perfectly along the rear of the terrarium. It brings depth, texture, and a natural backdrop to your living ecosystem. It works great to build a layered effect.
Experience the magic of a real storm — dynamic lightning flashes, mist bursts, and ambient thunder and rain sounds all working in harmony to create an immersive, multi-sensory environment.
🍄 $300K — HEPA Filter Upgrade
Take your ecosystem to the next level with a built-in HEPA filtration layer, keeping airflow clean and controlled and expanding the growing capabilities of ARK to different kinds of plants and culinary growing.
🌱 How You Can Help Us Grow!
Every share, every comment, and every friend you invite brings us one step closer to unlocking these incredible upgrades.
💚 Share the campaign, post your favorite kit, and tag us on social — you’re not just backing ARK, you’re helping shape the next evolution of home nature design.
