Bee Hive Activity Monitoring System: Phase 2
PI: Emanetoglu, Nuri
Abstract: A Doppler radar based bee activity monitor has been developed, which is placed closed to the hive entrance, without disturbing the bees. Based on a 10.5 GHz motion detector, the unit measures the total energy in the return signal due to Doppler signals from flying bees and records it. The activity indices derived from these measurements are compared with past activity levels of all hives in the apiary, as well as weather conditions, to infer bee colony health. The studies of Summer 2017, funded with an RRF Undergraduate Assistantship and an NSF REU grant, have proven the concept. An invention disclosure was filed with UMaine at the end of November. Two undergraduate students (one electrical engineering, one biology) are writing their honor’s theses on the design and verification of the prototypes. The prototypes cost less than $100/unit, highly competitive with commercial systems, which cost more than $500. To bring this prototype to market, the following need to be done: (a) Market research and customer discovery, identifying potential customers’ needs; (b) put instrument into a form factor that is usable by bee keepers, as identified in (a); (c) the radio links with the base station need to be completed; (d) secure funding for commercialization, once an appropriate strategy (start-up vs. licensing) is identified.