Elephants don’t mean any harm, but when they wander into villages or farms, the damage can be severe, sometimes even leading to dangerous encounters.
Shebin Jacob and Nekhil R have found a smart way to tackle this issue, a real-time elephant tracking system. Now, tracking elephants isn’t exactly a new idea, but traditional systems are often expensive and bulky, making them tough to use in remote areas. Their solution, on the other hand, is affordable, lightweight, and built with easy-to-find components, making it a practical option even in places with limited internet access.
It’s housed in a custom 3D-printed case, designed to withstand rough weather and the elephant’s movements. This system is built specifically for areas with limited internet access, so it doesn’t rely on fancy infrastructure to work. It runs on a Particle B524 SoM, a cellular IoT module designed for remote tracking, along with an RYS352A GPS module for accurate location tracking.
Powered by a solar panel and an 1,800mAh LiPo battery, making sure the system runs smoothly even in off-grid areas. On the software side, the team used Particle Workbench to develop the firmware. The GPS data is stored in a Firebase Realtime Database, while a live tracking website built with OpenStreetMap allows real-time monitoring. If an elephant moves beyond the geofenced area, a Twilio-powered SMS alert is automatically sent to the authorities, enabling quick action.
This tracking system could be a game-changer for conservation efforts. Not only does it help protect elephants from unnecessary harm, but it also reduces human-animal conflicts and property damage. This project is a great example of how technology and conservation can work hand in hand to protect resources.
