EleTect 2.0 is a modular, solar-powered, AI-driven ecosystem designed to prevent human–wildlife conflict, detect illegal activities, and protect forest ecosystems. Each node uses a combination of vision and acoustic TinyML models to detect elephants and other wildlife in real time, then triggers bio-inspired, non-harmful deterrents — such as honeybee sounds — proven effective in the wild.
The same system also listens for gunshots, chainsaws, and vehicle sounds, alerting forest authorities through a LoRa mesh network — completely independent of internet connectivity. All events are locally logged using an RTC + SD module, ensuring traceable data for conservation research.
🔗 Full build + documentation: Hackster Project →
💡 Why We Built It
In regions like rural India and parts of Africa, elephants and other wild animals are increasingly entering human settlements and farmlands due to shrinking habitats. Traditional deterrents like fences, crackers, or fire are costly, harmful, or ineffective. At the same time, poaching, illegal logging, and forest fires remain persistent threats, often going undetected in areas without reliable connectivity or power.
EleTect 2.0 bridges this gap using TinyML, IoT, and bio-inspired design — making coexistence both intelligent and sustainable.
⚙️ How It Works (Plain Language)
🐘 Detection Node (EleTect 2.0)
- Detects elephants using vision + sound AI models.
- Triggers honeybee sound deterrence (inspired by natural elephant behavior).
- Logs events on SD card with real-time timestamps (RTC).
- Monitors gunshots, chainsaws, and vehicles for anti-poaching surveillance.
- Solar-powered + LoRa Mesh for long-range, low-power communication.
🌾 Add-On Modules
EleTect Razor: Deterrent for wild boars using high-intensity strobes and ultrasonic frequencies.
EleTect 1.5: Smarter Warnings, Safer journeys
- EleTect Mini: Portable, farm-friendly unit with rotary selector for birds, dogs, monkeys, and more.
- EleTect Echo + Ember: Stackable pair for forest surveillance and early wildfire detection (smoke + temperature).
- EleTect Link: A handheld receiver for rangers with alert display, vibration, and SOS features — works offline via LoRa Mesh.
🌍 What Makes It Different
- Works fully off-grid — no cell or Wi-Fi needed.
- Bio-inspired deterrence rooted in traditional knowledge (honeybee sound for elephants).
- Edge AI — detection happens locally on low-power devices.
- Modular architecture — one platform, many species and scenarios.
- Open, scalable, and low-cost for real-world conservation applications.
🧠 Beyond Elephant Detection
- Illegal logging & poaching: Detect gunshots and chainsaws via acoustic models.
- Forest fire detection: Combine smoke, CO, and temperature sensing for early alerts.
- Wild boar deterrence: Add Razor module for farms near forest boundaries.
- Community safety: Portable deterrents for rural households (Mini model).
🏕️ Field Notes & Considerations
- Power: Runs on compact solar setup and tested for deep forest operation.
- Range: LoRa mesh enables multi-node communication across kilometers.
- Ethics: Non-invasive, non-harmful approach that respects animal welfare.
- Scalability: Each module can function independently or as part of a network.
🤝 What We’re Asking from the WILDLABS Community
- Feedback: On field deployment design, soundscapes, and edge-AI datasets.
- Collaboration: For testing models across diverse wildlife regions.
- Advice: On best power strategies and waterproofing methods for humid environments.
We’re looking to collaborate with rangers, conservation NGOs, and research organizations to bring EleTect into more habitats and validate its multi-species adaptability.
🏆 About the Project
This project is being developed as part of the Edge AI Earth Guardians Challenge on Hackster.io.
EleTect 2.0 builds on our earlier award-winning prototype (EleTect 1.0 ) and aims to create a global open-source ecosystem for wildlife protection, forest monitoring, and community safety — blending nature’s wisdom with modern AI.
🔗 Learn more on Hackster:
