Human livelihood depends on the survival of bees
Bees are one of the planet’s hardest working creatures. Approximately two thirds of the world’s crops rely on pollination to create fruits and seeds healthy enough for human consumption. This pollination directly correlates with human nutrition, as not only does it increase crop yields, but it also allows for more variety and higher quality harvests [2]. In addition to impacting the world’s food supply, bees are also responsible for the livelihood/health of many plant-derived medicines. If bees were to disappear it would lead to devastating consequences for the human race, which is why many tech companies, such as Beewise, are using modern technology to improve their chance of survival.
Bees are disappearing at an alarming rate
There are a variety of threats facing the bee population, including climate change, habitat destruction, and the use of pesticides. As they are especially sensitive to changes in temperature, the rising global temperatures have caused the number of areas populated by bees in North America to fall by 46% [4]. A major share of the bee population is grown and maintained by beekeepers who are struggling to keep up with the treatment and care needed to keep up with the bees’ rapid decline. The technology they are currently using is approximately 150 years old and includes nothing more than white wooden boxes and physical inspections by the beekeepers every 3-4 weeks [1]. Often, by the time these inspections occur, beekeepers will find that their hives have already begun to collapse, and little can be done to save them.
Saving the bees through technology
The future of the bees is unclear, but companies like Beewise are working to aid in their recovery. They have created a product called the Beehome, which allows beekeepers to watch and care for their hives in real time. The digital hive uses computer vision to monitor the bees 24/7, and its AI technology identifies their needs in real time. The device eliminates the need for human intervention and employs precision robotics to provide treatment as soon as it is needed. Beekeepers are able to control factors such as climate and humidity levels, eliminate pests, automate the harvesting of honey, as well as receive real time problem alerts if in-person attention is required. The device costs a mere $15 USD a month to operate per hive, and it contains 24 hives per device [3]. It possesses the resources and space to be home to 2 million bees at a time.
What this means
Without help, the bee population is at risk of going extinct. The use of smart technologies, such as the Beehome, have the potential to double pollination and honey production, while at the same time reducing the bee population’s mortality rate. As the human race relies so heavily on the survival of bees, it is vital that we use all technology known to us to help them.
References
[1] Beewise. (n.d.). Our Impact https://www.beewise.ag/impact-1
[2] Food and Agricultural Organization. (2019, May 20). Declining bee populations pose threat to global food security and nutrition. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1194910/icode/
[3] Godin, M. (2020, November 19). Beewise Beehome: The 100 best inventions of 2020. https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2020/5911321/beehome/
[4] Mooney, C. (2020, February 06). Bumblebees are dying across North America and Europe as the climate WARMS, scientists say. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/02/06/bumblebees-are-vanishing-scientists-blame-climate-change/
