Project Jumbo Shoo
Faculty Mentor Name
Elliott Bryner, Walter van den Heever
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Elephants are essential to the biodiversity and ecological development of African savannas and play a vital role in Namibia's economics and culture. However, the competition for resources between wildlife and residents leads to human-wildlife conflict that threatens populations. Embry-Riddle engineering students have successfully developed a system to reduce human-wildlife conflict, detecting then deterring elephants from encroaching on designated areas in Namibia.
One component of the system, known as the brain, wirelessly connects four modules using Long Range (LoRa), radio communications. The seismograph module picks up frequencies in the ground through which elephants communicate. The brain then activates a camera module, that employs AI image recognition to confirm the presence of elephants. If an elephant is then detected, the brain signals two deterrence modules, flashing lights, and a subwoofer that vibrates in the ground.
This year, the project goal is to improve the system’s performance, field-readiness, reliability, and longevity. The focus will be on more robust code and updated hardware in the LoRa system to develop our own local wireless area network, referred to as ERPnet. In addition, a more durable power system and module boxes will be used in the system for this year’s project. Further developments in the documentation process, ensuring accessible, replicable, and scalable design for future development will be added as a priority.
By developing a new solution that is robust, cost-effective, and adaptable to long-term use in Namibia, the system will keep elephants away from human inhabited land. This lowers conflict, protects crops and water sources for people, and avoids harm to elephants. This proposes a safer and more reliable alternative to human-wildlife conflict reduction than other methods such as electric fencing. Participation in this project offers students an opportunity to enhance their technical skills and gain hands-on experience.
Project Jumbo Shoo
Elephants are essential to the biodiversity and ecological development of African savannas and play a vital role in Namibia's economics and culture. However, the competition for resources between wildlife and residents leads to human-wildlife conflict that threatens populations. Embry-Riddle engineering students have successfully developed a system to reduce human-wildlife conflict, detecting then deterring elephants from encroaching on designated areas in Namibia.
One component of the system, known as the brain, wirelessly connects four modules using Long Range (LoRa), radio communications. The seismograph module picks up frequencies in the ground through which elephants communicate. The brain then activates a camera module, that employs AI image recognition to confirm the presence of elephants. If an elephant is then detected, the brain signals two deterrence modules, flashing lights, and a subwoofer that vibrates in the ground.
This year, the project goal is to improve the system’s performance, field-readiness, reliability, and longevity. The focus will be on more robust code and updated hardware in the LoRa system to develop our own local wireless area network, referred to as ERPnet. In addition, a more durable power system and module boxes will be used in the system for this year’s project. Further developments in the documentation process, ensuring accessible, replicable, and scalable design for future development will be added as a priority.
By developing a new solution that is robust, cost-effective, and adaptable to long-term use in Namibia, the system will keep elephants away from human inhabited land. This lowers conflict, protects crops and water sources for people, and avoids harm to elephants. This proposes a safer and more reliable alternative to human-wildlife conflict reduction than other methods such as electric fencing. Participation in this project offers students an opportunity to enhance their technical skills and gain hands-on experience.