The Mission

Revolutionise the detection and control of invasive Asian hornets through advanced electronic engineering and intelligent tracking technology. The concept focuses on developing an ultra-compact, energy-efficient GPS tracking tag that can be attached to captured hornets. Using GPS positioning, smart sensors, AI and LoRa communication, the system would automatically determine the hornet's location and transmit this information to a central system. By reducing the need for manual tracking by multiple specialists, the technology could significantly reduce the time, labour and costs involved in locating Asian hornet nests. The long-term ambition is to create a scalable and largely autonomous tracking solution that supports beekeepers, pest-control professionals and biodiversity organisations in protecting ecosystems across Europe.

The Challenge

The Asian hornet is an invasive species that poses a significant threat to honeybees, biodiversity and European ecosystems. Although existing tracking methods can successfully locate nests, they are extremely labour-intensive. Captured hornets are fitted with transmitters, after which multiple people use receiving equipment to follow their movements and determine the nest's location. This process requires experienced specialists, considerable time and financial resources. It also places a significant burden on beekeepers, who are often not financially equipped to carry out extensive tracking operations. There is a need for a more automated, affordable and efficient solution that can independently identify and communicate the precise location of Asian hornet nests.

The solution

Develop a miniature, autonomous GPS tracking tag that can be attached to captured Asian hornets and automatically communicate the location of their nest. The proposed technology combines several innovations: - Miniature GPS technology: Extremely small tracking components that allow the hornet's location to be determined. - Energy-efficient electronics: The tracking device remains in sleep mode most of the time to conserve battery power. - LoRa communication: The GPS coordinates are transmitted through a low-power network, such as KPN's LoRa IoT network. - Smart sensors and AI: Potentially identify when the hornet is inside its nest, allowing GPS measurements and transmissions to happen only at relevant moments. - Automated nest detection: Since hornets return to their nest at night, their GPS position can help reveal the nest's precise location.