Animals have used different techniques to survive. Some change colors to camouflage and hide. Others curl up in their shells to protect themselves. But, this particular technique is unique. Some turtles go wireless to survive.
This may initially seem to be straight out of a Disney movie. However, it’s real life and ain’t scifi. Couple of research groups have been busy snapping solar powered devices on the turtles. These computers will record, store and transmit turtle related information.
The Turtlenet technology uses computers about the size of a roll of quarters. Some computers are also postcard sized. These are strapped on the back of the turtles.
The main idea behind the project:
is to create a network of constantly moving devices that record and store information, transmit data from one device to another, then relay all the saved information to a central location while running on self-charging batteries
As soon as the strapped on computers get within a mile of each other, the machines trade information. Also, the turtles are coded as well. A M16 written on the back of turtle would mean male sixteen.
The best part about this technology is that turtles can be tracked on the move. Most of the existing technologies only work when animals and reptiles are stationary. Also, I think rechargeable batteries are a good deal. As Jacob Sorber, a doctoral candidate in Comp.Sci. agrees:
A lot of the existing technology works great as long as you’re not moving around and you have stable networks and people who could recharge batteries
Currently these are strapped to the back of 16 turtles.As of now, about 10 freshwater turtles are on the endangered list of the state. This study will help researchers and conservationist get a brief idea about the movements of the turtles and in turn, protect them. Personally, I look forward to seeing more animal based research like this one.
Image Credits: Core77, Discovery, Marinebio