Long range wireless devices for high-resolution monitoring of animal movement
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Tracking studies where individual animals are tracked individually is increasingly common due to new technologies becoming availability. The data collected from these studies enable researchers, consultants and conservation practitioners to better understand animal ecology, evolution and physiology. This data has many practical applications and societal benefits, for example it enables the identification of animal migratory routes, stopover sites and priority areas for conservation of migratory species, the monitoring livestock health and the detection of livestock diseases).
Long range (LoRa) remote download devices can collect information remotely with minimum supervision and send the information via wireless communication. This technology is an exciting development of low power, long-range wireless transmissions which has been used in urban settings to control a range of sensors in buildings and vehicles (smart buildings, smart cities and vehicle tracking) but has yet to be used to track animal movement and behaviour. Due to its low-weight and low-cost this technology can revolutionize the study of animal movements.
This proof-of-concept aims use the new Long Range LoRa remote download technology to create low-weight and low-cost GPS tracking devices that can be safely deployed on animals. We aim to demonstrate that a solution originally conceived for the Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to track animal movement. This solution will be especially attractive for projects located in remote locations where the GSM network is not available and the use of satellite devices is constrained due to its high cost. Our project will develop solar-powered solutions that will include a variety of on-board sensors (accelerometer, temperature, barometer) which can be used to monitor environmental variables and animal behaviour parameters. All components of the tracking device (PCB module, battery, solar cell and harvester, housing) will be tested separately and the feasibility and capabilities of the assembled prototypes will be assessed.
Long range (LoRa) remote download devices can collect information remotely with minimum supervision and send the information via wireless communication. This technology is an exciting development of low power, long-range wireless transmissions which has been used in urban settings to control a range of sensors in buildings and vehicles (smart buildings, smart cities and vehicle tracking) but has yet to be used to track animal movement and behaviour. Due to its low-weight and low-cost this technology can revolutionize the study of animal movements.
This proof-of-concept aims use the new Long Range LoRa remote download technology to create low-weight and low-cost GPS tracking devices that can be safely deployed on animals. We aim to demonstrate that a solution originally conceived for the Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to track animal movement. This solution will be especially attractive for projects located in remote locations where the GSM network is not available and the use of satellite devices is constrained due to its high cost. Our project will develop solar-powered solutions that will include a variety of on-board sensors (accelerometer, temperature, barometer) which can be used to monitor environmental variables and animal behaviour parameters. All components of the tracking device (PCB module, battery, solar cell and harvester, housing) will be tested separately and the feasibility and capabilities of the assembled prototypes will be assessed.
Planned Impact
The demand for smaller and lighter tracking devices is considerable. The lightest GPS/GSM devices on the market are 17g. Lighter GPS devices are available but require re-capturing the animals to retrieve the information on the tag and, often, this is difficult or impossible. Satellite tags are light-weight but require projects with generous budgets as they cost >£2,500 each + monthly data costs. If validated, the low-cost low-weight long range devices that will be developed in this proof-of-concept project will be very attractive as they will be in the order of £300-500 each.
Our long-term vision is that the research community working on animal movement projects will benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT). This network of physical objects, devices, vehicles, buildings and other items which are embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, enables these objects to collect and exchange data. The IoT is becoming more common and our project aims to create animal tracking devices that will be part of the IoT, enabling researchers to take advantage of existing network grids, used for other purposes, to track animal movement. If our devices can be safely deployed on wildlife it will be possible to track animal moment and migration with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Our long-term vision is that the research community working on animal movement projects will benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT). This network of physical objects, devices, vehicles, buildings and other items which are embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, enables these objects to collect and exchange data. The IoT is becoming more common and our project aims to create animal tracking devices that will be part of the IoT, enabling researchers to take advantage of existing network grids, used for other purposes, to track animal movement. If our devices can be safely deployed on wildlife it will be possible to track animal moment and migration with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Publications
Dini B
(2021)
Development of smart boulders to monitor mass movements via the Internet of Things: a pilot study in Nepal
in Earth Surface Dynamics
Description | We have developed a new product to be used for tracking animals in remote locations where GSM coverage is not available. The Long Range tracking devices work and we have the data being transmitted to our server. The devices work in conjunction with GSM technology or InMarSat, hence we can have global coverage and data transmission with these new tracking devices. We have produced prototypes and received extra funding from the BTO to complete this project by the end of March 2018. Our devices have now been used to track Boulders in Nepal and birds in the UK and Portugal. The project in Nepal now plans to develop an alert system for disaster prevention (landslide warnings) in Nepal. |
Exploitation Route | The devices are not yet available to the wider community. Our aim is to create a lighter weight tracking device that will be used for tracking smaller wildlife and this will facilitate management of species, conservation and research. The Earth Sciences application is under development and if fully demonstrated this could become a commercial product for disaster prevention. |
Sectors | Education Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | http://movetech-telemetry.com |
Description | We have designed and produced a new Long-Range wireless tracking device. This is a low power solution, the tracking devices are small and there is a gateway to receive information form the devices. We have developed a new server and all the data received is accessible in the server. These devices can be used to track animals and objects. This is the smallest Long-Range wireless module on the market. We have tested several solar cells and devices from different companies and identified the lowest weight device that provides good quality data. These devices will be added to the portfolio of devices offered by Movetech telemetry, www.movetech-telemetry.com The first field test for these devices was done in Nepal part of another NERC grant- Shear Catalyst project BOULDER. This project has been very successful and the PI- Georgina Bennett is engaging with stakeholders to create an alert system for disaster prevention in Nepal. We subsequently applied to the NERC Digital Environment call and obtained funding to use these tracking devices on the project SENSUM: Smart SENSing of landscapes Undergoing hazardous hydrogeological Movement, this project started in October 2020 and will gain from the knowledge obtained in BOULDER. This technology is fast evolving, we obtained further Innovation funding from the Norwich Research Park to develop a prototype that includes global connectivity using space based gateways, this is particularly interesting for animal movement research. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | British Trust for Ornithology research support funding |
Amount | £11,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Trust for Ornithology |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | NEXUSS CDT PhD studentship GPU-Accelerated 3D Visualisation and Analysis of Migratory Behaviour of Long Lived Birds |
Amount | £54,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 1942135 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | NEXUSS CDT PhD studentship Improving detection and estimation of birds' collision risk with energy infrastructure |
Amount | £54,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2105436 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | NEXUSS CDT PhD studentship The environmental determinants of dispersal and migratory behaviour of long lived birds |
Amount | £54,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 1942320 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Proof of Concept |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 07/2018 |
Title | Tracking devices |
Description | The Movetech telemetry group now produced new tracking devices that are being used to track wild animals and these devices have now been used on 29 species. The long range wireless devices have also been used to track Boulders in Nepal and have tracked the movement of the Boulders during the monsoon season. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | These devices have now contributed to generate 4 publications and the data has been used to help manage and conserve wildlife |
URL | http://www.movetech-telemetry.com |
Description | BIRDS ON THE MOVE: adaptive migratory behaviour in response to global environmental change |
Organisation | University of Lisbon |
Country | Portugal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a collaboration I have with a colleague in Portugal. My colleague has an Research fellowship and has recently managed to obtain funding (€237,903.54) from the Foundation for Science and Technology in Portugal for the project BIRDS ON THE MOVE: adaptive migratory behaviour in response to global environmental change" in which I am a co-Investigator. The project will enable new research to be done and new tracking devices to be bought. |
Collaborator Contribution | My partner will help supervise PhD students will contribute with her time training the students in the field. Shewill also help deploying tracking devices on birds and collecting and analysing the data generated. |
Impact | Peer-review publications, presentations and posters at conferences. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Movetech project |
Organisation | British Trust for Ornithology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We are developing new low-cost light-weight solar GPS/GSM loggers that can be used to track wildlife. At the moment the lightest on the market is 17g and we are testing a 12g device. This project started by the need to obtain high spatial and temporal resolution location data for our study species. We have now developed a solution that delivers the quantity and quality of the data required but we are pursuing the development of lower weight devices that can be used on a larger number of species. I coordinate the project, arrange meetings, coordinate the work that is being developed, coordinate the tests of all the components, the colleague from Portugal is responsible for the software development and testing and the colleague from the BTO is responsible for the hardware solutions and integration of all the components, he is also coordinating the development of new solutions. |
Collaborator Contribution | We discuss new ideas, final products that need to be developed and components that we want to test. We discuss the development of software and the features that need to be included. This is a joint project we are all heavily involved and discuss all stages of the project. We have our areas of expertise, my colleague fron the BTO is responsible for the financial aspects of the project and my colleague from the University of Lisbon is responsible for the testing of the new software developed. |
Impact | 1- New settings for power management and geofencing; 2- New PCB module (3.8g) which has enabled us to produce a 12g tracking device; 3- New light weight solar cell identified for new light weight Movetech Telemetry device; 4- New harvester developed enabling an effective management of the battery preventing undercharging and overcharging; 5- Consolidation of solutions for the larger devices, the Movetech Telemetry group can now produce a range of devices: 12g, 20g, 25g, 30g 50g and a goose collar; 6- New website for the Movetech Telemetry group finalized bin March 2017 and press release advertising at UEA, BTO and in Portugal. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Movetech project |
Organisation | University of Lisbon |
Country | Portugal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are developing new low-cost light-weight solar GPS/GSM loggers that can be used to track wildlife. At the moment the lightest on the market is 17g and we are testing a 12g device. This project started by the need to obtain high spatial and temporal resolution location data for our study species. We have now developed a solution that delivers the quantity and quality of the data required but we are pursuing the development of lower weight devices that can be used on a larger number of species. I coordinate the project, arrange meetings, coordinate the work that is being developed, coordinate the tests of all the components, the colleague from Portugal is responsible for the software development and testing and the colleague from the BTO is responsible for the hardware solutions and integration of all the components, he is also coordinating the development of new solutions. |
Collaborator Contribution | We discuss new ideas, final products that need to be developed and components that we want to test. We discuss the development of software and the features that need to be included. This is a joint project we are all heavily involved and discuss all stages of the project. We have our areas of expertise, my colleague fron the BTO is responsible for the financial aspects of the project and my colleague from the University of Lisbon is responsible for the testing of the new software developed. |
Impact | 1- New settings for power management and geofencing; 2- New PCB module (3.8g) which has enabled us to produce a 12g tracking device; 3- New light weight solar cell identified for new light weight Movetech Telemetry device; 4- New harvester developed enabling an effective management of the battery preventing undercharging and overcharging; 5- Consolidation of solutions for the larger devices, the Movetech Telemetry group can now produce a range of devices: 12g, 20g, 25g, 30g 50g and a goose collar; 6- New website for the Movetech Telemetry group finalized bin March 2017 and press release advertising at UEA, BTO and in Portugal. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Movetech project |
Organisation | University of Porto |
Country | Portugal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are developing new low-cost light-weight solar GPS/GSM loggers that can be used to track wildlife. At the moment the lightest on the market is 17g and we are testing a 12g device. This project started by the need to obtain high spatial and temporal resolution location data for our study species. We have now developed a solution that delivers the quantity and quality of the data required but we are pursuing the development of lower weight devices that can be used on a larger number of species. I coordinate the project, arrange meetings, coordinate the work that is being developed, coordinate the tests of all the components, the colleague from Portugal is responsible for the software development and testing and the colleague from the BTO is responsible for the hardware solutions and integration of all the components, he is also coordinating the development of new solutions. |
Collaborator Contribution | We discuss new ideas, final products that need to be developed and components that we want to test. We discuss the development of software and the features that need to be included. This is a joint project we are all heavily involved and discuss all stages of the project. We have our areas of expertise, my colleague fron the BTO is responsible for the financial aspects of the project and my colleague from the University of Lisbon is responsible for the testing of the new software developed. |
Impact | 1- New settings for power management and geofencing; 2- New PCB module (3.8g) which has enabled us to produce a 12g tracking device; 3- New light weight solar cell identified for new light weight Movetech Telemetry device; 4- New harvester developed enabling an effective management of the battery preventing undercharging and overcharging; 5- Consolidation of solutions for the larger devices, the Movetech Telemetry group can now produce a range of devices: 12g, 20g, 25g, 30g 50g and a goose collar; 6- New website for the Movetech Telemetry group finalized bin March 2017 and press release advertising at UEA, BTO and in Portugal. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | SENSUM: Smart SENSing of landscapes Undergoing hazardous hydrogeological Movement |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Department | College of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a co-Investigator in this project. I am responsible for preparing the tracking devices that will be used to monitor boulders and wood that will be monitored. |
Collaborator Contribution | PI- Georgina Bennett, University of Exeter, will be responsible for overseeing this NERC Digital Environment project co-I Irene Manzela, University of Plumouth, will be responsible for the earth science modelling component of the project There is a collaboration agreement in place detailing the responsibilities of each partner. |
Impact | This is a multidisciplinary collaboration that has just started, we do not have outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | Tracking devices |
Description | The Movetech telemetry group developed new GPS/GSM tracking devices that have a specific and versatile software that enables remote tracking and download of animal movement data. We now have developed solutions using Long Range wireless technology that have been tested on birds and will be tested on mammals during 2020. |
Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Impact | These devices generated data that was included in 8 publications and the devices have now been used in 29 species all over the world. The data generated by the devices has been used for management and conservation of wildlife. |
URL | http://www.movetech-telemetry.com |
Description | EGU Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A poster was presented at the EGU meeting 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited speaker at RPSB seminar series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I was an invited speaker to talk about tracking devices and the research results from the use of the tracking devices. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.movetech-telemetry.com |
Description | TIBE 2017 Bio-Logging |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I was an invited speaker at the symposium and talked about the features and characteristics of the new tracking devices the Movetech group, which I co-ordinate, is developing. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.movetech-telemetry.com |