IBM certainl;y paid for their arrogance when first mini-computers, and then microprocessors, and then personal c omputers showed them that competition never dies, even if it goes dormant for years!
The computer side of an "autopmatic cold frame" would bge really easy: like a high school or DIY project for nerds. But the "reality" part of it would be expensive, and dangerous if you didn't know the right ways to waterproof electrical components.