Publication and deployment2021 to 2022arXiv and ICOET
Ora Animal Deterrent System
Configurable audiovisual deterrence for wildlife safety
Ora detects approaching vehicles and triggers randomized audiovisual cues intended to discourage wildlife from entering the roadway. The embedded prototype led to an arXiv paper, an ICOET presentation, and an adaptation for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
- Embedded systems
- Road ecology
- Product design
Outputs
Preprint
A Configurable Audiovisual Animal Deterrent System to Mitigate Roadkill
Read paperPresentation
Ora animal warning system
View presentationDeployment
Adaptation for collection-animal protection
The system was modified to help protect collection animals from mountain lions without harming either species.
At a glance
Evidence and outcomes
- 100%
- Vehicle detection
- 244 ft
- Average trigger distance
Detected before vehicles left the test zone
Nighttime highway testing
Design
Vehicle sensing
- Detect headlights against a self-calibrating ambient-light baseline.
- Filter transient noise and trigger before a vehicle reaches the crossing zone.
Animal warning
- Randomize light and sound cues to reduce repeated-pattern exposure.
- Allow cues to be configured for different environments and species.
What was validated
Nighttime road tests measured vehicle detection, not long-term wildlife behavior. The prototype detected every tested vehicle before it left the detection zone, with 96.5% detected from at least 60 feet away.