High speed counting of black soldier flies

The Challenge

The world is generating mixed solid waste (MSW) in volumes far exceeding its capacity to recycle and manage effectively. In Australia, the total volume of MSW generated in 2018 was 67 million tonnes, of which 45.6 million tonnes was buried into landfill resulting in significant environmental pollution. The usage of black solider fly larvae to process MSW provides an environmentally friendly option. However, optimising the breeding process of the flies is yet to be fully developed and is still an on-going active area of research.

In particular, measuring the effectiveness of breeding methods are based on best practice and there is no accurate way to measure the fly reproduction behavior. The number and size of the flies in the breeding process make it difficult for conventional cameras and sensors to capture reliable data.

The Solution

The project looks to utlise the world-leading neuromorphic vision capabilities at Western Sydney University. These event based sensors have shown high-speed counting of targets under difficult imaging conditions. The analysis techniques will be adapted to count flies as they move between different breeding cycles. This data will provide clear insights on how the flies are reacting to interventions, advising on better breeding practices. On top of the advanced sensor usage, the project will partner with Macquarie University to deliver the robust hardware that allows operation of the sensor inside the breeding cages.

Industry Partner

University Partners