Research & Development – HARDSHELL LABS

Since 2015 Hardshell has focused on the need for non-lethal hazing methods for avian management. We have developed laser and drone-based approaches, used 3D printed desert tortoise models as predator lures and worked extensively on remotely operated vehicles for a number of applications. Our early funding has largely come from Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts. As the technology matures it is being used operationally. Our work on Remote Egg Oiling and the Techno-tortoise has led to both of these methods being applied widely on projects administered by US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Geological Survey conservation projects. Recent commercial raven repulsion contracts grew out of years of steady progress on laser-based avian repulsion.

A common denominator for all of our R&D efforts is the drive to develop and refine Remotely Operated Devices (RODs). The application of sophisticated remote communication and control technologies allows us to observe scenes from afar and to operate devices to intervene when needed. These techniques will eventually apply to many other use cases but we are currently concentrating on laser and rover use cases.

TRACK RECORD and CURRENT PROJECTS

Link to NSF Seed Fund

Remote Egg Oiling

Desert Tortoise Hatchling

NSF

- Hardshell Labs, Inc. has been awarded (March 2022) 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).

REO

- Remote Egg Oiling (REO)- A method to reduce the reproductive success of problem birds whose nests are out of reach of the ground. Such nests include raven nests on tall utility transmission towers, for example.

CRG

- Sensor pod- Devices for remote environmental monitoring
- Predator Aversion Training System (PATS)- Equipping the Techno-tortoiseTM predator lure to deliver negative experiences to attacking predators
- Semi-autonomous rover- A device for remote monitoring of wild habitat and wildlife. The rover will be able to navigate independently and deliver a live video feed to live operators

Hitron

- Intelligent Remote Egg Oiling System (IREOS)- Adding the power of artificial intelligence for egg and nest recognition and autonomous flight capability to create an REO device capable of independent egg-oiling operation

Oceanit

- Remotely Operated Laser for Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard reduction- Continuing the development of laser-based bird repulsion to create a system capable to driving a wide variety of birds from the vicinity of aviation facilities

BWCS

- Remotely Operated Avian Management (ROAM)- Emphasizing remote control and communication with an array of low cost, light weight laser units distributed at several to many sites

REMOTE EGG OILING (REO)

Working with our partners at Sundance Biology since 2016 we have developed REO as a tool for managing currently out of control raven populations.

Egg oiling consists of spraying a small amount of non-toxic oil on the surface of birds’ eggs to prevent their hatching while leaving them undamaged and thus still receiving care from the adults.

Our innovation has been to pair cameras and nozzles bundled as “Remote Fluid Application Systems”, mounted on aerial drones and tall poles to allow access to nests out of reach of manual egg oiling.

TECHNO-TORTOISE™

The Techno-tortoise™ is a highly realistic model baby desert tortoise. Attracting tortoise predators to what they believe is a ready meal allows us to observe predatory behavior, to measure attack rates. For the last eight years, assisted by Autodesk and Think 2 Thing, leading companies in 3D scanning and printing, we have been refining the Techno-tortoise by using the best available technology and pioneering finishing techniques. After several years of documenting raven interactions with the lures, working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, we have steadily scaled up Techno-tortoise™ use in measuring predation pressure. Now, with our partner Cornerstone Research Group, we have “weaponized” the Techno-tortoise, equipping it with the ability to spray a non-toxic irritant in the face of attacking ravens. Early results from field trials are very encouraging and we view this as the template for revolutionary combinations of simulation and aversive training technologies for the protection of threatened and endangered species.

LASER LIGHT

Our use of lasers for bird hazing is focused on two major goals: 1) determining the best configuration of laser systems, including physical layout, cameras, power, wavelength and pattern of light flashes and 2) optimizing laser control for a wide variety of use cases. In some cases, this will be the relatively simple use of handheld lasers used by rangers in the field. In others, however, fully remote control will be the most efficient method. Working with Oceanit, Inc. of Honolulu Hawaii, on a DoD funded project for Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) reduction we are answering many questions about how to create ideal bird hazing laser systems. Additionally, we are working with AI expert Brad Morris, of Boardwalk Consulting Services, on integrating image object recognition into our laser systems. Hybrid Artificial/Natural Intelligence (ANI) systems integrating human and artificial intelligence offer “best of both worlds” options in identifying problem birds and applying the best technique to solve the problem.

SEMI-AUTONOMOUS ROVER

Since 2013, we and technology partners have been developing artificially intelligent rovers that transmit data in real time while patrolling habitat and searching for signs of species of interest as wildlife observation and for pest hazing strategies. With the award of a Phase 2 SBIR to a team consisting of Hardshell Labs, CRG and BWCS, we have substantial funding to create a vehicle capable of recognizing and cataloging wildlife sign while independently traveling across wild landscapes. This will be another example of a hybrid ANI system using artificial intelligence in coordination with the natural intelligence of remote human operators. The first incarnation will be a robotic tortoise “biologist” that recognizes and maps evidence of tortoise occupation of an area and allows remote live observation of the animals.

Conservation use: The dawn of robotic field biology promises to greatly increase our understanding of the biology and ecology of species of interest by allowing us to deploy mobile cameras without the need for human physical presence. The use of AI will allow us to filter the images generated in the field and help identify objects of interest, photograph them and map them.

The future: As AI and robotics continue to develop, the autonomy of the system will increase, and with it the its value as a research tool. Alongside that, our ability for real time remote monitoring by humans will also grow. The potential for widespread witness of video feeds from the rover will allow an unlimited number of people from “being there” as well. Creating and engaging an audience for this novel form of exploration of the natural world will yield great conservation benefits. The continued growth and refinement of technology constantly expands humanity’s ability to intervene on behalf of beleaguered wildlife. Hardshell Labs collaborates with a wide array of very creative “gearheads”, channeling their expertise to solve conservation challenges that seem insurmountable to others. And there is one other factor: they seem to love to use their talents to do good.

MILITARY and COMMERICAL AIRPORT BIRD HAZARD PREVENTION (BASH Program)

Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) is a serious threat to military, commercial and private aviation. Open spaces near airports, both terrestrial and aquatic, attract birds and thus increase BASH. Hardshell Labs is collaborating with its technology partners to develop a number of creative hazing devices, including an AI assisted laser, and programmable aerial and terrestrial drones, to discourage birds from hanging around airfields.

Background info: The Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database, “In 2020, 11,605 strikes were reported. Seventy-four strikes resulted in a destroyed aircraft from 1990-2020; 41 (55%) of these occurred at general aviation airports. The annual cost of wildlife strikes to the USA civil aviation industry in 2020 was projected to be a minimum of 75,861 hours of aircraft downtime and $124 million in direct and other monetary losses.”