India has unveiled BatEchoMon (Bat Echolocation Monitoring), the nation's first automated, real-time bat monitoring system. Developed by bat biologist Kadambari Deshpande and technologist Vedant Barje at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru, this innovative system marks a significant advancement in ecological research and conservation efforts.

What is BatEchoMon?

BatEchoMon is an AI-powered, solar-operated device designed to autonomously detect, record, and analyze bat echolocation calls. It streamlines the traditionally labor-intensive process of bat monitoring, providing researchers with near real-time insights into bat activity and species distribution.

Key Features

• Activates at sunset, recording ultrasonic bat calls throughout the night without human intervention.?
• Advanced Technology: Utilizes an ultrasonic microphone (AudioMoth) and a Raspberry Pi microprocessor to capture and process data.?
• Employs a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm to distinguish bat calls from other environmental sounds and classify them based on frequency and structure.?
• Generates spectrograms, audio files, and statistical analyses detailing species-specific activity patterns.