Life in urban areas is often associated with fast-paced routines, high work demands, and crowded environments. This situation often leads people toward an individualistic lifestyle, characterized by limited social interaction and reduced self-awareness and empathy for others. Unconsciously, such conditions can lead to stress and loneliness, both of which negatively affect mental health.
Research indicates that urban communities are highly vulnerable to psychological disorders caused by these pressures. Data from Psychological Research on Urban Society shows that 35.37% of Indonesia’s urban population experiences depression, mainly due to work-related burdens, fast-paced lifestyles, and environmental factors such as air pollution and the lack of green spaces. These findings underscore the importance of simple activities that can help restore balance and alleviate stress.
One proven activity is plant care. Interacting with plants can lower stress levels, stabilize blood pressure, and improve overall happiness (Azad & Marselle, 2025). However, due to busy schedules and limited knowledge of plant care, many people struggle to maintain plants consistently.
To address this challenge, a team of Universitas Padjadjaran students has introduced SmartBungah, a multifunctional smart pot that combines technology with the concept of stress relief. This product is designed to provide an interactive and enjoyable plant-care experience that helps reduce stress.
SmartBungah features voice interaction allowing users to “chat” with the pot as if it were a friend—helping ease stress and loneliness. A built-in playlist of relaxation music further enhances the calming effect, making SmartBungah more than just a pot: it is an innovation that supports mental well-being. Additional features include an automatic watering system, plant growth lights, and an emoticon display that interactively shows the plant’s condition. To complement the product, SmartBungah also comes with an official website offering product information, stress-relief content, and green-living education.
This innovation was developed by Universitas Padjadjaran students Joy Epiphanias Siburian (Agrotechnology), Rangga Ireng Sanjaya (Electrical Engineering), Teguh Wibisono (Electrical Engineering), Nada Aghnia (Agrotechnology), and Nabil Muhammad Syani (Accounting), under the guidance of lecturer Vira Kusuma Dewi, M.Sc., Ph.D. It is part of the Student Creativity Program in Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) that successfully secured funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia.
Through this product, SmartBungah supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: “Good Health and Well-being.” The team hopes this innovation will help urban communities reduce stress, protect their mental health, and encourage green living habits through the simple, enjoyable act of caring for plants.
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