Design and Experimental Validation of a Low-Cost IoT-Based Smart Egg IncubatorUsing ESP32 for Precision Environmental Control

The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a key enabling technology for the development of intelligent systems capable of real-time monitoring and control of environmental parameters. One of its promising applications is in smart agricultural systems, particularly egg incubation, where maintaining optimal environmental conditions is critical for successful hatching. Conventional incubators often lack precision, automation, and remote accessibility, which can negatively affect hatchability rates.

This study presents the design and implementation of a low-cost IoT-based smart egg incubator using the ESP32 microcontroller for precise environmental control. The proposed system integrates temperature and humidity sensing using the DHT22 sensor, along with actuators for heating, ventilation, and automatic egg turning. The control system is designed to continuously monitor environmental conditions and adjust system parameters in real time to maintain optimal incubation conditions.

In addition, a remote monitoring and control interface is developed using the RemoteXY platform, allowing users to access real-time data and manage system operations from anywhere via a mobile device. This feature enhances system flexibility and usability, particularly in rural and isolated regions where access to advanced agricultural technologies is limited.

The prototype was evaluated under real operating conditions and demonstrated stable performance, with temperature measurements consistent with the sensor’s nominal accuracy of approximately ±0.5 °C and humidity maintained within acceptable incubation ranges. As a low-cost system based on widely available components, it has the potential to improve incubation conditions. However, further work is needed to assess long-term reliability, validate measurements against calibrated reference sensors, and evaluate biological performance through controlled hatchability experiments.