At CES 2023, several major companies unveiled new products, such as e-bikes that can charge laptops and TV displays that can be mounted on any surface. One company also introduced the Bird Buddy, a smart hummingbird feeder that allows you to monitor your hummingbirds.
The Bird Buddy hummingbird feeder is designed to attract hummingbirds and features a red lily flower that can be easily disassembled for cleaning. It uses AI technology to capture photos and videos of up to 350 species of hummingbirds. The feeder is equipped with a motion sensor and built-in camera that can take pictures of any birds that visit the feeder, including those with wing speeds up to 60 mph.
AI Feeding Bird Technology
When the motion sensor and camera capture a photo, the feeder sends a notification to a smartphone through the Bird Buddy App. The App includes a species-identifying algorithm that can identify which hummingbird species visited the feeder.
The company's co-founder and chief hardware officer, Kyle Buzzard, stated that they wanted to create a product that both people and hummingbirds would enjoy using, so they made sure to design it with quick assembly, leak-proof capabilities, and easy cleaning in mind. The Bird Buddy team is also proud of the high-quality camera that offers clear images and videos of hummingbirds from a unique perspective.
This is not the first smart bird feeder the Tech for Nature startup has released. Previously, the company introduced the Bird Buddy smart bird feeder, designed for birds such as sparrows, cardinals, and others. The company's bird feeders have interchangeable camera modules, optional solar panel roofs, and motion sensor detection.
There is currently no information on when the hummingbird feeder will be available for purchase. However, the original Bird Buddy feeder can be pre-ordered on the company's website starting at $200. Shipping for these units is expected to begin in April 2023.
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Collecting Birds Data
As per TechCrunch, the company plans to construct the feeder using recyclable and sustainable materials and will include features specifically designed to attract hummingbirds, such as ports with a red lily-shaped flower that allows access to nectar. The feeder has a two-part design that snaps together to create a seal that prevents leaks and mold but can be easily disassembled for cleaning.
The long-term success of Bird Buddy may not come from its feeders themselves but rather from the data they collect. Buzzard stated that the company is collecting timestamps and species data, as well as general location information based on the town input by the user, to build the largest database of bird visits.
The company plans to open source this data for organizations such as the Audubon Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, as well as universities, to access. The team has also considered allowing users to photograph and identify birds using their phones. In addition to funding from Kickstarter, Slovenia- and Kalamazoo, Michigan-based startup raised $8.5 million from General Catalyst and Backed in a seed round last year.
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