e-CoHive: Intelligent and integrated tool for increasing response and cooperation capabilities of beekeepers in front of bee health problems

Technology based tools, including software tools, are not very common in some agricultural sectors, though it has been repeatedly proven that these tools can be helpful in almost any environment. The beekeeping sector has experienced a huge delay in the technology and is still far from taking advantage of available solutions in a sector that is currently in great danger. The development of new wireless networking techniques and low cost sensors makes the integration of sensor captured information possible in the software tool. The addition of intelligent techniques and expert systems make technology tools not only a source of information and analysis but also, and importantly, sources of expert knowledge that can play a crucial role in the competitive environment in which companies currently have to perform their work. The aim of the project is to give SMEs in the European beekeeping sector a software and hardware system that will integrate solutions to meet the needs of the SME beekeeping sector in Europe, giving them the a tool to coordinate efforts to prevent anomalies and pests.

Local monitoring: Each beekeeper will have installed a network of sensors for hive monitoring. A computer will receive the read data and analyze it with an expert system. Using this expert system not only production benefits are remarkable but also in case of anomaly detection, an SMS will be sent to the hive’s owner and will suggest actions to perform. The system will be able to launch an alarm in case of theft. A step further, global monitoring: A network created by the associated beekeepers using the GIS application will maintain informed of possible threats depending on the proximity. If an anomaly is detected in a hive, its neighbours will be warned in order to avoid further propagation. The beekeeper directly affected by the anomaly will get support to take action decision by receiving the local expert system suggestions and help within the community using the GIS system. The system will match beekeepers with similar symptoms, which will be located using the GIS system. This matching will give access to shared knowledge and will force coordination between beekeepers in order to achieve a faster and more efficient solution. The taken actions will be recorder for further information sharing. At this point an entity will be assigned in order to guarantee the reliability of the published and shared information. Further investigation: As a big amount of data is being stored, and anomalies are detected, a few percentages of CCD cases will be recorded. When this happens, very valuable information can be given to proper laboratories for further study of CCD or other diseases causes and solutions.

Bee
Beekeeper
Hive
Collaborative
Monitoring
Alarm
GIS

3 RTD Performers from 3 different european countries. 2 SME Associations. (Beekepers and Bee Researchers). 2 SMEs with a technical profile and 2 other SMEs.