Innovative Monarch Conservation Software unveiled

In a groundbreaking initiative, Botlink has partnered with Simple Business Automation (SBA) to introduce the POLLi software platform dedicated to monarch conservation.

Revolutionizing Data Collection and Analysis

POLLi stands out as a pioneering tool designed to enhance data gathering and analysis through automated drone operations. This platform employs advanced machine-learning cloud computing for object detection and offers comprehensive online software for image evaluation and reporting.

Collaboration with Monarch Joint Venture

The advancement of POLLi was a collaborative effort with the Monarch Joint Venture (MJV), a national coalition comprising federal and state agencies, NGOs, businesses, and academic institutions focused on the preservation of monarchs and other vital pollinators.

Addressing Monitoring Challenges

MJV identified a pressing need to improve the efficiency and scalability of monitoring monarch habitats across North America, particularly due to the labor-intensive nature of traditional field surveys.

Extensive Testing and Results

throughout the summer of 2023, the POLLi Flight application underwent rigorous testing, logging hundreds of flight hours and capturing thousands of images. The POLLi cloud application processed these images,with AI models successfully identifying tens of thousands of individual milkweed plants in the upper Midwest.

advanced Algorithms at the Core

The core strength of the POLLi platform lies in its elegant algorithms. The ability to accurately detect common milkweed among a diverse array of plants across vast areas is a significant advantage, leading to unprecedented efficiencies in conservation efforts.

Future Developments

Ongoing enhancements to POLLi include the integration of new machine learning algorithms that will allow for the identification of additional plant species and other objects captured through drone imagery.

Expert Insights on Technological Impact

Wendy Caldwell, Executive Director of the monarch Joint Venture, shared her thoughts on the technology’s implications: “This innovative technology transcends the iconic monarch butterfly. When integrated into conservation research, it provides us with advanced tools to accurately evaluate habitat quality and distribution, facilitating more strategic resource allocation for the protection of a diverse array of flora and fauna. We are proud to contribute to this groundbreaking initiative in developing technological solutions for conservation.”

botlink’s Commitment to Innovation

Matt Sather, general manager of Botlink, remarked on the significance of the POLLi platform: “The development of POLLi represents the culmination of our team’s efforts over the years. Our expertise in drone flight software, robust cloud APIs for image processing, and user-friendly data analysis interfaces have converged into this singular product. The dedication and hard work put into POLLi are something our entire team can take pride in.”