RFID HELPING PUT FLESH ON THE BONES OF DINOSAUR FOSSILS Earth Sciences Foundation, a fossil excavation non-profit, is using RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to improve the tracking and cataloguing of dinosaur bones excavated in South Dakota. A combination of RFID tags from HID, InfraMarker’s RFID System and Esri field mapping software has significantly reduced manual data entry and administrative tasks, freeing up field technicians to focus on core activities like research and fossil conservation. Within just five days, the excavation team had seamlessly catalogued 347 fossils. Tom Hebert, Founder and Director of Earth Sciences Foundation, said: “I can’t speak glowingly enough about how well this works for us. We are in the middle of nowhere. There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity here, and it (RFID) still works. “Using HID’s RFID tag technology, GIS mapping and geospatial curation, we can see the life of this fossil from the time we found it in the ground, to the time we put it in storage, to the time we prep it, clean it, restore it and display it in the museum. This allows people to follow the adventure of this bone from beginning to end. It also allows us and other scientists to do better research, collaborate easier and exchange ideas faster.” David Chose, HID Global Sales Manager, Americas, Identification Technologies Division, added: “An easy way to think about RFID tags is that they are a wireless barcode attached to an object that you can change and update. The big benefit here is that Tom and his team can update the RFID tags on fly. As these bones go through the whole process of being excavated to being displayed at a museum, each step of the process can be easily updated and documented.” www.hidglobal.com PEACH FAMERS COUNTING ON AI TO FORECAST HARVEST A new AI system that can accurately count flowers on fruit trees to predict harvest sizes up to six months in advance has been developed by researchers in Scotland, Chile and Spain. The AI system uses standard smartphone images to recognise and count flowers on fruit trees, even when petals overlap, with 90% accuracy. This is far better than manual methods, such as counting by eye or taking area samples, which can have error rates of 30-50%. By providing precise yield forecasts up to six months before harvest, the system allows growers to optimise water use, allocate resources efficiently and plan harvesting/ distribution logistics more effectively. So far, the tech has been trialled on peach orchards in Catalonia, Spain, with results set to be validated against the actual harvest in September 2024. If successful, the approach can be adapted for other major fruit crops like apples, pears and cherries, benefiting growers in the UK, Europe and beyond. The research project has been developed by academics and researchers from the National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for robotics and AI based in Edinburgh; the Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Federico Santa Maria Technical University in Valparaiso, Chile; and the Universidad Andres Bello, also in Chile. Fernando Auat Cheein, Associate Professor in robotics and autonomous systems at the National Robotarium, said: “Farmers often rely on manual methods to estimate their yields, which can have a significant error margin. By leveraging the power of AI and the convenience of off-the-shelf technology like smartphones, our approach seamlessly integrates with traditional farming practices, making it easier for growers to embrace and benefit from innovative solutions without overhauling their existing methods. “Throughout the project, we worked closely with peach farmers in Spain to understand their challenges and ensure the system met their requirements. The farmers appreciated the simplicity and accuracy of the flower counting AI, noting its potential to help them make more informed decisions about crop management, such as targeted pruning and herbicide application. By focusing their efforts on areas of the farm that are expected to yield the most fruit, farmers can optimise resources, reduce their environmental footprint and maximise both the quantity and quality of their harvest.” The National Robotarium, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative, supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government. The initiative aims to turn Edinburgh into the data capital of Europe and is part of the wider £1.5 billion Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. https://thenationalrobotarium.com/ industry/#agriculture ... VIRTUAL MEETINGS A DRAIN ON PRODUCTIVITY Almost three-quarters (73%) of UK professionals think virtual meetings hamper productivity, according to a survey by specialist recruitment company Robert Walters. More than half (53%) say their workday is regularly Interrupted by virtual meetings, with one quarter joining five or more a day. When it comes to making important business decisions, 67% would opt for an in-person meeting over a video call (31%), with just 5% choosing a virtual meeting when they need to ‘get things done’. Daniel Harris, Director of Robert Walters London & South East, said: “Throughout the pandemic, virtual meetings were indispensable for maintaining communication and NEWS 4 01732 759725 NEWS © National Robotarium and Fernando Auat Cheein
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