I know it doesn't look it. It's not "techy" enough, but terracotta pots provide automatic watering. They're porous and wick water. Just get a plate or tray to sit them in and pour water into the plate or tray every now and then.

As for lighting, grow lights are a dime 10 cents a dozen. From upmarket looking things from garden centres, to good enough from Lidl, to slave labour trash from Temu.

That's all you need. Or sod the light and use a window.

But genuinely, it reads like I'm being an arse, but terracotta pots will be far more reliable and "automatic" than any techy kirkstarter electronics. And they look nice. And they don't add to the already vastly overwhelming plastic pollution. And they're definitely made in Europe.

Look up what a kratky bucket is. Herbs don't need a lot of light either. Alternatively if you have access to a 3d printer there's a lot of cool hydroponic things you can print.

A few of 100mm plant pots, watered weekly, on a windowsill with auxiliary lighting in winter or if it’s north or east facing will go a long way.

Something like this, from Sweden? https://www.auk.com/?country=US