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For our latest blog we talked to Yannick Smedts. In five questions he tells us more about WolkyTolky and his role within WolkyTolky.
Who are you and what is your role within WolkyTolky?
“I’m Yannick Smedts. Together with Luc Verkoelen and Han Fleuren, I founded WolkyTolky (officially on 1 July 2019, after the first tests in 2018). At WolkyTolky I work as Sales Advisor. I know all the ins and outs of the WolkyTolky and I like talking to growers to find out how the WolkyTolky can best be used in different crops. This month I’m answering five questions to give you a better picture of WolkyTolky.”
What does WolkyTolky do?
“WolkyTolky is a cloud-based measuring station, which means it connects to a data centre via a mobile network. Through the WolkyTolky app, a grower stays informed about everything happening on their plot. WolkyTolky reports automatically when a value set by the grower is reached or exceeded. If a grower uses a soil moisture sensor, for example, WolkyTolky can send an alarm when it threatens to become too dry for their crop. That lets a grower react in time. WolkyTolky came about through a unique collaboration of specialists – a tree nursery grower who wants more insight into growth on the plots, a weatherman with a passion for measuring and recording the weather and a software architect working in the meteorological sector.”
Yannick Smedts on the left in the photo
Why did you choose the name ‘WolkyTolky’?
“It’s important to choose a company name that sticks with people. Together with Han and Luc, we held a brainstorm where we quickly arrived at WolkyTolky. ‘Wolk’ is the Dutch word for cloud, an online environment where hardware, software and data can be made available. A ‘tolk’ is an interpreter, who has to translate spoken words or signs accurately and immediately. Here it stands for translating the measurement data into usable information for the grower. Together they form WolkyTolky.”
Where does the strength of WolkyTolky lie?
“The strength of WolkyTolky is its flexible character. WolkyTolky is an ideal measuring station for every farmer. Whether it’s a fruit grower, tree nursery grower, horticulturist, arable farmer or bulb grower. WolkyTolky is set up like a weather station, to support you as a grower and take work off your hands. With our user-friendly and clear WolkyTolky app, growers stay informed about everything happening on their plot. WolkyTolky reports automatically when a value set by the grower is reached or exceeded.
We can measure precipitation, soil moisture, temperature, soil temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, solar radiation, UV radiation, barometric pressure and leaf wetness (disease pressure), among other things. Several sensors of each type can be connected. Sensors that aren’t interesting for a grower can be left out. It’s also possible to connect other types of sensors to the WolkyTolky measuring station. Always up to date with WolkyTolky.”
Which job within WolkyTolky has stuck with you the most?
“I’m proud of all the jobs we’ve been able to carry out for our customers so far. But the one that has stuck with me the most is the very first request. This was a grower from Kessel with a mixed horticulture and arable farm who was growing Chinese cabbage at the time. Chinese cabbage can burn on the inside if the temperature gets too warm. Together with the grower, we installed a WolkyTolky that measured the core temperature of the cabbage heads with five sensors. When the temperature started to rise sharply, the grower received an alarm from WolkyTolky. That let them take action in time and prevent burning from the inside. Three weeks later I received a phone call from the customer, who said he was extremely happy with the help of our WolkyTolky in protecting the crop, and that it had saved his harvest. Creating that kind of added value for a grower, I think that’s really great.”
Curious what we can do for you? Then get in touch on +31 (0)85 130 4781 or email info (at) wolkytolky (punt) com.
