Viktor Galitsky and Daniil Briginets, second-year students of Novosibirsk State Technical University of NETI, have created equipment that allows them to remotely monitor wintering bees and generally ensure the safety of the apiary in the cold season.
Novosibirsk inventors continue to improve the smart hive system. Earlier, during development, the problem of uncontrolled swarming of bees was solved, which will significantly simplify the life of small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the field of beekeeping.
The device is a system of microcontrollers that helps to monitor the internal ecosystem of the hive: temperature and, weight of the finished honey.
Now, the project is at the testing stage of a new built-in function — a winter alarm system that will be able to prevent people or wild animals from entering the apiary. The sensor system located in the hive records any movement of a warm-blooded creature in the bees' winter garden and sends a notification of movement to the mobile application of the apiary owner.
The installation of a smart alarm system is possible both inside and outside the hive, which will allow you to detect any attempt to get inside. The design is optional and can be located at the choice of the beekeeper at individual facilities or throughout the apiary.
Another area that students are working on is the integration of smart beehives into a smart apiary. The world analogues of the system that exist today are able to solve a limited range of tasks, whereas Novosibirsk developers have chosen to provide comprehensive support for all stages of the apiary' s life.
The strength of the development of NSTU NETI students is the relative low cost due to the simplicity of the data collection mechanism and the use of one of the most productive microcontrollers for operational work.
In June 2023, the first tests of a unique device for controlling an apiary in the Altai Territory were successfully completed. The results indicate the potential of the device and its potential ability to increase production performance in beekeeping.
The developers already plan to launch a small series of devices to enter the market, as well as to prepare prototypes with minimal costs. "We want to create the most functional device available for any apiary. Therefore, we are constantly looking for new solutions: how to combine many important functions to control the vital activity of bees and keep the system simple," shared developer Daniil Briginets.
The development was supported by NSTU NETI and Opora Russia.