[gamerDude]

I'm working on a company to create a universal basic income utilizing technology instead of financial instruments. Doing that through building homes that run on renewable energy, grow their own food and are cheap to make.

The first prototype house should be done this year!

[slfnflctd]

I started looking into doing something similar about 7 years ago. My primary advice is to nail down and narrowly define what you're doing with food early on, it's a huge distraction full of pitfalls.

Hopefully you're already aware that it's not really feasible for a household to grow enough food to live on-- better to be clear up front with everyone that it's to supplement groceries, not replace them. Focus on a few core crops you can gradually become more efficient at growing, and don't get too caught up on automation unless someone on your team has extensive experience with using it in agriculture. [Edit: I saw further below that you're already doing this, I guess all I can say is be aware of the limitations and try to have realistic expectations.]

[peridotoak]

This is amazing, I'd really love to learn more! Do you have any resources I can look into?

[gamerDude]

I don't have a website yet or anything so that I can solely focus on the building, but my email is in my profile.

Essentially, the prototype is a tiny house with greenhouse attachment. Looks like it will come in around ~$25k. The greenhouse is 95% automated using hydroponics and sensors for any adjustments to turn on ventilation, water alerts or ph alerts for making sure the nutrient solutions are where they need to be. We are currently experimenting with deepwater and nft hydroponic systems.

After the prototype, we are going to raise money to build the first neighborhood. Houses will be a bit bigger, ~1500 sq. ft. and be fairly modern style, potentially in Denver. Powered via Solar for now. And basically get 10 or so people to move in all with a skillset that could help push the technology and needle forward on how this could be implemented at a larger scale.

[hanniabu]

That's pretty good. From my experience just the greenhouse, foundation, growing apparatus, monitoring, growing supplies, and permitting would cost $25k. The labor costs and tiny house would easily put it over. I'd be curious in seeing the breakdown of costs.

[john4534243]

> "..to create a universal basic income utilizing technology instead of financial instruments."

Wow. Just mind blowing. So much power in those few words. The best quote i have come across in probably a decade.

[TimSchumann]

Interesting, care to share more?

[gamerDude]

Hey Tim!

Feel free to reach out, my email is in my profile.

But basically, its a fairly modular house, currently located in Colorado that uses solar for energy and a couple different hydroponic systems in an attached greenhouse. We've been looking at/building every step to understand where construction costs are coming from and what options are out there.

For example, we were quoted early on for part of the house foundation for $9k by multiple contractors, but when we asked a lot of questions we found we could get it done without any real skillset to do it ourselves with about 10 hours of work and $500. Work any volunteer could do. So, been working on cutting costs out of the process and working on automatically making food.

Next step is a small neighborhood to get more people involved and working towards figuring out how to expand it to a larger scale.

[AtlanteanTec]

Hey gamerDude, I cant seem to find your email information in your profile either. Is there another way that we could connect? What you are describing is something I have been very passionate about but havent know where to start. I would love to help and be a part of this endeavor.

[nikoftime]

Hey there - very interested in corresponding with you but when clicking on your profile, there is no email listed. Is there some other way to start a thread? :)

[sedocmiv]

Hey gamerDude,

I've been wanting to create something like this myself. Would love to join forces and learn more. What's a good way to contact you? Thx!

[nabeards]

As mentioned, your email isn’t in your profile but would love more info on this as I am in a country where this would be a perfect fit.