Joshua Tree, CA March 4, 2022 – Hardshell Labs, Inc. (Hardshell; HSL) has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $255,414 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on protecting ecological and conservation environments and threatened species and assets from avian, principally raven, assaults through its novel technology, Remotely Operated Avian Management System (ROAM).
“Hardshell is excited to partner with the NSF in the development of ROAM — our flexible, remotely operated network of avian management devices and hazing for resource protection and environmental monitoring.” – Tim Shields, President, Hardshell Labs, Inc.
Hardshell Labs is developing a fully-integrated, remotely-operable network of internet- connected, AI-enhanced devices for bird pest repulsion from valuable assets. The goal is to make non- lethal pest bird management, a high priority given the breadth and severity of such problems, more effective, easy, and affordable in often remote agricultural, conservation and commercial settings.
“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”
Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $275,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Startups or entrepreneurs who submit a written project pitch will know within one month if they meet the program’s objectives to support innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/
About the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Programs: America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $2 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.
Key words: integrated network; remotely operated devices; ARRA Network; bird hazing; laser light avian hazing; artificial intelligence; AI; user interface; tele-presence; avian pest management Subtopic: Environmental technology & Conservation
