Farmers put on bees "high-tech backpacks"
The fact that drones are actively used in agriculture to monitor crops and collect other data is no longer a sensation. Drones have become indispensable assistants to farmers around the world.
However, they also have a significant drawback, which lies in the short flight time. Most models are able to stay in the air for no more than half an hour. Then the device needs to be charged.
And so, engineers from the University of Washington came up with a rather unusual, but at the same time effective solution to the aforementioned problem. Designers have suggested using bees as drones. Indeed, these insects are in motion throughout daylight hours and do not need to be “forced landing” every half hour.
It was possible to realize the idea by equipping the bees with a kind of "backpacks" - a chip with sensors. The device collects information and transmits data through stations installed in the hive. Wireless charging of the mini-device takes place here. “Toilers” will be able to provide the farmer with information on: humidity, temperature and light. The chip stores the data collected over 7 hours of flight. After that, when the bee returns to the hive, all parameters are sent to the farmer, using special antennas.
Using this method is more efficient and less expensive than using the same drones. However, the disadvantage of “cyber bees” is that their flight cannot be controlled.
However, they also have a significant drawback, which lies in the short flight time. Most models are able to stay in the air for no more than half an hour. Then the device needs to be charged.
And so, engineers from the University of Washington came up with a rather unusual, but at the same time effective solution to the aforementioned problem. Designers have suggested using bees as drones. Indeed, these insects are in motion throughout daylight hours and do not need to be “forced landing” every half hour.
It was possible to realize the idea by equipping the bees with a kind of "backpacks" - a chip with sensors. The device collects information and transmits data through stations installed in the hive. Wireless charging of the mini-device takes place here. “Toilers” will be able to provide the farmer with information on: humidity, temperature and light. The chip stores the data collected over 7 hours of flight. After that, when the bee returns to the hive, all parameters are sent to the farmer, using special antennas.
Using this method is more efficient and less expensive than using the same drones. However, the disadvantage of “cyber bees” is that their flight cannot be controlled.
Information