You have misconstrued my suggestion. The fundamental part of problem solving is to identify the problem. Your problem is to find which pot in a circle of pots needs water. The second is to water that pot. Since the pots are in a circle, any water will need to reach all pots and having water in the center of that circle is the least cost and complicated way to accomplish the goal.
How to get the water to any pot is easily accomplished with a pipe that can rotate. NO ROBOT ARM is necessary! do not complicate things! Rotate the pipe to the pot needing water and release the water. What can you design that can accomplish that goal?
The journey is the reward 
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It is possible, I am in high school too, and there is another guy in my class who is doing this as thesis. And I am not sure, but I think he is using a self-made shield to analyze the distance between the two Arduino's for precise measurement and a GPS module with built-in compass to do the rough measurements and pathfinding. He also uses a distance sensor to avoid obstacles. It won't be the easiest option, but that is the only option I know somebody is working on.
Yes, that would be a good mod.
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Yes, I think it is easy to test, reduces power consumption and - complexity.
If required the IR connection could be bidirectional so that the robot would initiate the feedback and get either "dry" or "wet" in the answer and e.g. a battery indication. This would also allow to discover if one of the plant electronics does not respond.
But that's nice to have. Let's do first things first ...
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Thank you so much for a such a detailed feedback it means a lot. I will start looking into the IR solutions. I will consider the hint you gave too. Thanks again.
I see thanks for the idea. I have a problem where I like to complicate things I will consider this like a plan B if I don't manage to complete it before the deadline. Thank you
You are welcome!
I recommend to start with small separate steps like
- Look where you can find solutions for part tasks that you can easily test and integrate
- e.g.:
- Get aquainted with transmission and detection of IR signals
- Setup a breadbord solution for transmission and one for reception
- Test transmssion and reception of different IR code content
- Test minimum and maximum range you can achieve with your equipment
- If that's solved satisfyingly: What happens if two or more transmitters are sending in parallel
- etc.
When each (independent!) feature has been thoroughly implemented and tested then start integrating and testing them step by step. Avoid making three or more steps in one ... You'll have trouble enough to identify the cause of problems ...
Again good luck!
ec2021
BTW: Are you aware of https://wokwi.com/ ?
A nice place to learn and to test the logic of an Arduino software before putting it “into the wild” ...
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I think that guy is little bit more smarter than me. I think I understand what he is going for but I know my own skill ceiling is not so high to attempt that. But hey thanks for the comment I feel little bit more assured knowing there others my age attempting this thank you
No problem. If you have any questions, ask them. I can always try to help.
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And would also address the possibility of signal "collision."
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What happens when pot #1 is being watered, and then another pot needs a drink ?
Return to filling station, or just keep trundling along until the tank tuns dry, and all the plants die ?
Same for battery condition.
Maybe I missed it: what is the radial distance to the pots?
Is it allowed to bury (or protect) a pair of wires to each?