Studying Colony Collapse Syndrome Using Intel Edison Computers and RFID Technology

Since January 2014, Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization has been using RFID (radio frequency identification) chips to track bees. The microchip could monitor the bees' every move, knowing where they go and how those places might be linked to the problem of colony collapse disorder.

On August 24, Intel and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization announced a cooperation. The latter will use Intel's Edison computer, which is only the size of a postage stamp and was originally designed for wearable technology. This microcomputer will be used for Bee tracking.

Researchers have their own conjectures about colony collapse syndrome. They believe that the main problem should be in food products, because bees need to complete the work of pollination. Possible causes include pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides and acaricides, as well as diseases and parasites, as well as genetically modified crops. However, it is still unclear what the real reason is.

By tracking where bees go, researchers hope to learn what conditions the bees often find themselves in. So far, 15,000 bees in Tasmania, Australia, and the Brazilian Amazon have been equipped with RFID chips in cooperation with the Vale Institute of Technology.

Paulo de Souza, Professor of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, said: "Colony collapse syndrome is spreading around the world, but we don't yet know why. Because of the urgency of global ecological issues, it is necessary for all scientists to understand how to better understand the situation. An easy way to work. In this way, we can share and compare data globally and work together to study bee health issues. This is actually a typical application of the Internet of Things."

This microcomputer, whose full name is Edison Breakout Board Kit, contains Intel's Atom computer system-on-chip, which was originally prepared for mobile devices. When placed in a hive, it can monitor bees by communicating with RFID chips. action.

The data is then sent to Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization's Data Access Portal, where it is analyzed by researchers who use the data to build a 3D model of where the bees move.

At the same time, the Edison board-level Toolkit is also connected to environmental sensors, which can measure humidity, temperature and solar radiation. More sensors will be added in the future if necessary, and development has been prepared for future expansion. "The Intel Edision Breakout Board Kit is the perfect platform for this form of research," said de Souza. "Its reliability is outstanding, its size is small, its programming is flexible, and its power consumption is low. The flexibility means that if Scientists want to add a sensor and the whole process will be easier."

Intel has also joined the latest group called the Global Initiative for Honey bee Health (GIHH) (led by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), which is a group of researchers, beekeepers, farmers and the world dedicated to solving the problem of bee colonies. A coalition of companies addressing the issue of Honkai Impact Syndrome. GIHH members will receive monitoring kits so they can begin collecting data and share research results.