From "killer hornets"

Digital bodyguard to protect honey collectors

This is what the prototype of the digital beehive looks like.

(Bild: Frauscher Sensortechnik)

A prototype for a digital beehive has now been developed in a school project to protect bee collectors from the Asian hornet. The prototype reacts to the insects' warning cries and closes as soon as the "killer hornet" appears.

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) has been spreading unstoppably in Europe since 2004 and was first spotted in Salzburg in April. This is particularly worrying for local beekeepers, as the invasive species mainly feeds on bees. As part of the Upper Austrian Job Week, pupils from the secondary schools in St. Marienkirchen/Sch. and Taufkirchen/Pram also addressed the issue and came up with the idea of a digital beehive.

"SMS to the beekeeper"
The project was further developed and built in the Frauscher Sensortechnik training workshop and the first prototype has already been presented under the patronage of Provincial Councillor Michaela Langer-Weninger (ÖVP). "It works via the background noise. Sensors recognize the warning cry of the bees or a conspicuous wing beat frequency," says Gabriel Gruber from the Schärding Chamber of Commerce. "The beehive then automatically closes the entrance holes and sends a text message to the beekeeper."

Pupils visit the Frauscher company where the project was developed.

(Bild: Frauscher Sensortechnik)

For the "killer hornet", this means: Please stay outside! The beekeeper can also open the entrance holes again remotely or check the temperature status by text message. According to initial experience, the system costs around 100 euros per hive.