Additionally, researchers at Harvard University developed RoboBees, autonomous flying microrobots that are equipped with smart sensors and control electronics that can interpret and respond to their environment, mimicking the function of the eyes and antennae of bees. Corporations are also joining the cause. Just last March, retail giant Walmart filed a patent for autonomous robotic bees, or pollination drones, that could potentially pollinate crops just like real bees. Though artificial pollination is possible, it is a tedious and time- consuming process. Not to mention it can be incredibly costly. AGTECH STARTUPS LAUNCHING TECH TO SAVE BEES Many technologists and researchers are, instead, turning to innovation that protects our natural pollinators rather than developing new autonomous pollination technology. ApisProtect—an Irish company that recently opened its first U.S. office at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (the Center) in Salinas,
Calif.—uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to help beekeepers manage colonies more effectively. “The key value that ApisProtect provides is the processed data—a high level overview of each apiary with a breakdown of which hives are doing well, which ones are likely to experience problems and which hives are currently in need of immediate attention,” said Fiona Edwards Murphy Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of ApisProtect. “This is what allows the beekeepers quickly understand their hives and rapidly respond.” ApisProtect places the power of advanced sensors and machine learning technology into the hive to deliver a 24/7 early warning system so beekeepers can give at-risk hives immediate attention and improve bee health. With this technology, beekeepers no longer need to rely solely on periodic, manual hive checks that can allow disease, pests and other issues to deteriorate hive health beyond rescue. They are now able to immediately obtain important information when the hive is difficult to inspect (i.e., during the night, poor weather conditions, hive is at a far
distance) and be positioned to make more effective decisions. “The issue with periodic checks is that beekeepers want to monitor hives with the minimum amount of disturbance to the colony. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems with hives being missed before they are too late to resolve. You can have two hives next to each other and one will be fine, while the other has severe problems. Our technology will help beekeepers use their time more efficiently and focus on managing the health of the hives at the right time,” added Dr Edwards Murphy. The agtech startup is taking bee health one step further by partnering with the National Agricultural Genotyping Center (NAGC) to analyze hive health in the United States, testing for pathogens including: Acute Bee Paralysis Virus, Black Queen Cell Virus, Deformed Wing Virus, Slow Bee Paralysis Virus and American Foulbrood Bacteria. ApisProtect has installed their ApisMonitor units in 200 hives worldwide and are now monitoring the health of ten million honey bees across 100,000 acres. “The economic impact we are looking
The Bee Corp CEO Ellie Symes inspects a beehive frame.
14 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com MARCH | APRIL 2019
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