Vodafone’s Groundbreaking IoT Solution Mitigates Human-Wildlife Conflict for Conservation

Vodafone’s Groundbreaking IoT Solution Mitigates Human-Wildlife Conflict for Conservation

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone is tackling the issue of human-wildlife conflict with a new IoT solution designed to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. The technology utilizes a combination of solar power, rechargeable batteries, and cameras equipped with advanced algorithms to detect and identify approaching animals. By triggering appropriate deterrents like flashing lights or specific noises, the system aims to prevent dangerous confrontations. It also sends real-time SMS alerts to the local community and generates comprehensive reports. Vodafone’s efforts extend beyond Africa, as human-wildlife conflicts are a global concern. Collaborating with WWF, Vodafone aims to utilize technology to address conservation and sustainability challenges worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 22-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone (LON: VOD), a British multinational leader in technology communications, takes on the challenge of human-wildlife conflict with an innovative IoT solution designed to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Human-wildlife conflict poses significant risks, including property damage and threats to livelihoods and lives. In regions like Kenya, encounters with wandering elephants or lions can have severe consequences for smallholder farmers, resulting in crop and livestock loss. These conflicts not only impact communities in rural Africa but also jeopardize conservation efforts for vulnerable species.

To tackle this issue and ensure community safety and livelihoods, Vodafone is developing groundbreaking technology in the early stages.

Leveraging the power of the Internet of Things (IoT), the solution operates 24/7 using a combination of solar power and rechargeable batteries. Equipped with three to four cameras, the system scans the entire perimeter of a designated area, illuminated by infrared lights, to detect approaching animals. Utilizing deep learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and computer vision algorithms, the solution identifies animals and triggers appropriate deterrents such as flashing lights or specific noises. For instance, elephants can be deterred by simulating the sound of a swarm of African bees.

Simultaneously, IoT connectivity enables the system to send SMS alerts to the local community, as well as broader alerts and reports through a cloud server. These notifications include vital information such as the time, location, identified species, and the deterrent activated.

The AI processing is supported by a Raspberry Pi, and the entire system is housed in a robust and weatherproof enclosure.

Vodafone’s ambitions extend beyond Africa. Human-wildlife conflicts are prevalent worldwide, such as the rise in human-bear conflict due to habitat fragmentation in Canada, the impact on widows’ physical and mental health after tiger and crocodile attacks in India, and the rural-urban divide symbolized by conflicts over wolves in Norway.

“The UN’s Global Biodiversity Framework agreed in December 2022 includes a target to minimise human wildlife conflict for coexistence, we believe this new technology can help achieve this and bring positive change to the communities and animals facing these tough challenges,” said Joe Griffin, Project co-lead and Senior Manager Sustainability Strategy at Vodafone.

Collaborating with WWF, Vodafone aims to explore additional ways of utilizing technology to address conservation and sustainability challenges globally.

Media contacts:

GroupMedia@vodafone.com

SOURCE: Vodafone Group