Project Details

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FlowerEye: an AI-system for Automated Bee Behavioral and Cognition Testing

Company: PSU Center for Pollinator Research

Major(s):
Primary: CMPEN
Secondary: CMPSC

Non-Disclosure Agreement: YES

Intellectual Property: YES

The objective of this project is to develop FlowerEye, a solar-powered, AI-integrated platform designed to enable automated, high-resolution monitoring of bee behavior, learning and cognition. FlowerEye builds on a previously published open-source monitoring unit using a Raspberry Pi camera system (Sittinger et al., 2024) and extends it by incorporating a programmable LED array that displays customized-dynamic geometric (floral) cues, and a microfluidic dispenser capable of delivering precise reward (sucrose) droplets. This project leverages AI models capable of tracking and identifying insects in real time developed by the Grozinger Lab at Penn State, through the INSECT NET graduate training program (see https://insectnet.psu.edu/research/beeeye-and-insecteye). Integrating these algorithms with a closed-loop stimulus-reward system will create a powerful tool for studying insect behavior and cognition (perception, learning, and decision making) in both laboratory and field environments, advancing ecology, agriculture and conservation research. Deliverables include: 1- a fully assembled and tested FlowerEye hardware prototype 2- firmware for camera, LED, and microfluidic control 3- an optimized on-device AI detection pipeline for species/individual detection 4- comprehensive documentation of system architecture, testing, and operation 5- a final presentation and demonstration showing end-to-end operation under staged conditions This project provides a hands-on engineering experience while advancing next-generation tools for insect behavioral and/or cognitive research.