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10/21/2026•BY Mulindi

Smart Solar Irrigation and Workshop Automation: How Wana Agri-Node and Wana Maker Node Power Resilient South African Operations

TITLE: Smart Solar Irrigation and Workshop Automation: How Wana Agri-Node and Wana Maker Node Power Resilient South African Operations In today's digital age, businesses in South Africa are facing unprecedented challenges, from load-shedding to the need for data sovereignty. Kro

TITLE: Smart Solar Irrigation and Workshop Automation: How Wana Agri-Node and Wana Maker Node Power Resilient South African Operations

In today's digital age, businesses in South Africa are facing unprecedented challenges, from load-shedding to the need for data sovereignty. Kronos Sqwasha and its Wana product line offer innovative solutions that not only address these challenges but also provide significant benefits to South African businesses, executives, and households.

Wana Agri-Node: Smart Solar Irrigation Node

Product Overview: Wana Agri-Node is designed for farmers who need reliable irrigation systems to maintain their crops during power outages. The Wana Agri-Node integrates solar power and LoRaWAN technology, ensuring continuous operation even when the grid is down. This node features a LoRaWAN gateway HAT, a 4-chamber relay, and a solar battery harness, providing a robust solution for smart irrigation.

Key Features:

  • Solar Power: Ensures continuous operation during power outages.
  • LoRaWAN Technology: Facilitates communication with central nodes.
  • Relay Control: Manages irrigation pumps and valves.
  • Battery Storage: Ensures stable power supply during sunless hours.

Benefits:

  • Load-Shedding Resilience: Farmers can continue their irrigation cycles unaffected by load-shedding, maintaining crop health.
  • Data Sovereignty: Farmers can use Wana Agri-Node to store and transmit agricultural data without relying on centralized SaaS services, enhancing data privacy.
  • Operational Efficiency: Automated control reduces manual intervention, ensuring precision and efficiency in crop management.

Pricing:

  • Wana Agri-Node: R8,200 flat

Wana Maker Node: Workshop Edge Controller

Product Overview: Wana Maker Node is designed for workshops and small manufacturing units. This edge controller combines automation and AI, enabling real-time monitoring and control of equipment. The Wana Maker Node features an OctoPrint/CNCjs platform, an RS-485 serial HAT, and power drop failover, ensuring reliable operations even when the main network is disrupted.

Key Features:

  • Embedded AI: Implements Hailo AI 13TOPS NPU for intelligent control.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Tracks equipment status and performance in real-time.
  • Serial Communication: Facilitates communication with CNC machines and other devices via RS-485.
  • Power Failover: Ensures stable power supply during sudden mains failures.

Benefits:

  • Eliminating SaaS Bloat: Reduces reliance on centralized SaaS services, freeing up IT resources and bandwidth.
  • Operational Flexibility: Automates complex operations, reducing the need for manual intervention.
  • Data Sovereignty: Ensures that critical data and operations remain within the local network, enhancing security and privacy.

Pricing:

  • Wana Maker Node: R5,500 flat

Real-World Benefits:

  • Resilient Operations: During load-shedding, smart irrigation systems continue to operate, ensuring crop health.
  • Data Sovereignty: Farmers can use the Wana Agri-Node to store and transmit data privately, avoiding SaaS bloat.
  • Eliminating SaaS Bloat: Small manufacturers can use Wana Maker Node to automate operations, reducing reliance on centralized SaaS services.

Case Study: Wana Agri-Node and Wana Maker Node at Wana Agri-Node

Overview: Wana Agri-Node and