Ocellus Solution

Resolving the Mic Issue

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:23:33 GMT

Isolating the sound and vibrations solved our mic problems.

Our initial microphone test didn’t go as expected. Despite placing the four mics only centimeters apart, the frequency and spectrogram fingerprints from two of them were identical, while the other two mics also matched but differed from the first pair. This raised concerns, as we anticipated all four mics would produce nearly similar results.

We uncovered multiple issues after brainstorming and discussing with our newest team member—an electronics and acoustic engineer from the University of Pittsburgh. First, mounting the microphones on a wooden platform created unforeseen complications. The wood vibrated during sound tests, transmitting signals between the mics, which resulted in cross-interference. Additionally, the sound source itself, also positioned on the wood, introduced both sound and mechanical vibrations that further distorted the data. The proximity of the microphones compounded the interference, leading to unclear results.

The solution came after some experimentation. We used small foam pieces under each mic to eliminate vibrations, spaced the mics further apart, and increased the dB level of the sound source, ensuring it was equidistant from each mic. This resolved the issues and set us up for Phase II studies.

It's All About the BUZZzzzZZzzzZzzzZZZzzz

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:39:56 GMT

What set's our IoT project apart from all others is the reliance on Machine Listening.

When it came to monitoring the sounds inside my hives, choosing the right microphone was a critical decision. The selection process began with a deep dive into the unique acoustic environment of a honey bee colony. Understanding the frequency ranges, sound patterns, and decibel (dB) levels of bee communication was essential. Spectrograms, which visually represent the frequencies of these sounds over time, provided valuable insights into the specific acoustic signatures I needed to capture.

After extensive research and consultation with experts—including entomologists specializing in bee behavior, physicists focusing on acoustics, and engineers from leading companies—I made an informed decision. I spoke with professionals at Knowles, TDK, GoerTek, and Brüel & Kjær to narrow down the options. Ultimately, I selected the Knowles MEMS I2S microphone for my prototype. This microphone was chosen for its precise sensitivity, low power consumption, and ability to capture the critical frequency ranges of bee sounds accurately. Its small form factor also fits perfectly within the "bee space," ensuring the microphone could be integrated seamlessly into the hive without disrupting the colony.

Hive Tech - Using IoT to Save the Bees

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:56:22 GMT

In modern beekeeping, maintaining the health of multiple hives across an apiary is a challenging task, often requiring frequent, intrusive inspections that can stress the bees and disrupt colony activities. By leveraging IoT technology, beekeepers can monitor hive health remotely, reducing the need for these disruptive checks. The concept involves placing sensors in each hive to measure critical parameters like temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and sound. These sensors transmit data to a central unit—aptly named the "queen unit"—which collects and processes the information for real-time insights into each hive's condition. This setup allows beekeepers to identify issues early, such as the onset of swarming or the presence of pests like Varroa mites, without opening the hives. The centralized data collection not only simplifies hive management but also supports scalable monitoring across large apiaries, enabling proactive and less invasive care of the colonies.

It's called 'Destructor' for a reason

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:52:26 GMT

Controlling the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is critical to saving our honey bees and our livelihood.

Varroa destructor ("Varroa") is a parasitic mite that poses severe risks to honey bees. The mites initially attach themselves to the bee larvae and live off their hemolymph (bee 'blood'). They also attach themselves to adult bees. While their parasitation doesn't often kill the bee directly, these mites cause the bees to become weakened and more subject to disease. Diseases that can be transmitted by the mites themselves. The difficulty controlling Varroa is complicated by challenges in early detection. Our IoT device will help beekeepers by notifying them early in infestation so they can take action. This should help the colony maintain its health.

Buzzing into IoT - my first prototype

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:49:23 GMT

Not knowing anything about IoT, I applied concepts from my public health background to organize the process.

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It's All ελληνικά To Me

paxpaxtibi@gmail.com (Kevin Jablonski) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 06:03:57 GMT

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What happens without bees

paxpaxtibi@gmail.com (Kevin Jablonski) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 06:00:04 GMT

Chinese man manually pollinating fruit trees in China

Pollution, pesticide use and environmental destruction have resulted in the catastrophic loss of honey bees in areas of China. The situation has become so dire that farmers often have to pollinate fruits and vegetables manually—a costly, poorly efficient process. Does the solution lie in the application of AI and IoT?

Curious (or brave enough) for more ... check out this brief PBS documentary .

How'd this journey begin

paxpaxtibi@gmail.com (Kevin Jablonski) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 05:51:27 GMT

August 2024, my first day working at DesignLab as a Resident. Happily sharing details of my project and plan .... and even after a year of thought ... 10 minutes into a consult and we're already radically improving the product.

Thanks to the team at DesignLab for supporting my project!

While my relationship with DesignLab is new, this project is not. It's already one year since I first got the honey bee "bug" and started looking into how AI, ML-ML (machine listening-machine learning) could be used to help save THE most important animal in the world - the HONEY BEE.