Ultra-light Zettlex sensors monitor bumble bee flight 27 September 2012

Cambridge-based sensors specialist Zettlex has successfully built position monitoring devices light enough to track bumble bees in motion.

The company – which usually makes position and speed sensors for armoured fighting vehicles, industrial robots, oil and gas installations, radar systems etc – says it thought the enquiry was a wind-up.

"At first I thought it might be one of my pals playing a practical joke, but when we found out more about the bumble-bee hive application, we were very keen to be involved," states general manager Mark Howard.

Local bumble-bee researcher Nik Sargent was carrying out research on hive activity and needed to monitor and count the bees as they entered and left the hive.

"There was a big problem with traditional sensors – they were simply too big and bulky. However, Zettlex's technology was so light and sensitive it could easily be activated by a bumble-bee," says Sargent.

"Because Zettlex sensors are inductive they are also not adversely affected by the outdoor conditions such as dust, pollen and honey residue," he adds.

"We're not planning a big marketing campaign to capture a slice of the bee-keeping market – but we're delighted that our technology has proven useful for the research," comments Howard.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Zettlex (UK) Ltd

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