With the world's honey bee population in decline, one Colorado startup is using technology and a global network of experts to illuminate the problems facing bees and find solutions.
According to a recent BBC article, the number of honey-producing bee colonies fell from 5.9 million to 2.4 million in the U.S. between 1947 and 2008 - a fall of 59%.
While working as a Shuttleworth Foundation fellow, Aaron Makaruk said he saw the declining bee population and emergence of low-cost technology, and saw an opportunity.
"There was potential here to put together sensors and create a citizen science network," he said.
So, he created OSBeehives and launched the BuzzBox shortly after.
"Sickness or problems thrive in the darkness, bringing awareness to these problems is the first step in the solution."
The BuzzBox is a solar-powered, Wi-Fi capable device that transmits audio, temperature and humidity signals that are automatically analyzed using AI to predict the health of your hive.
"It provides simple value and helps you be more effective as a beekeeper," Makaruk said.
By downloading the OSBeehives app, you'll be constantly connected to your hive. Is your hive healthy? Is it swarming? Is the queen missing? The app will keep you in the loop, to ensure you're effectively managing your hive.
"You can intervene and help the colony to prevent them from dying," Makaruk said of the real-time updates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5JzTyNWPWc
In addition to the AI, OSBeehives has created a network of bee experts from around the world. Beekeepers can share hive data using the app, allowing for collaboration across the network.
The company recently went through the Boomtown Accelerator program, and are based in Boulder. Makaruk said the five member team was grateful for the Boomtown experience, learning how to effectively manage growth and making industry and venture capital connections.
The company is currently raising its seed round and will build out the team once the round is complete. The BuzzBox Mini is currently available for pre-order on its site and retails for $199.
OSBeehives' technology is used in more than 1,500 hives across 20 countries, and the company will look to expand more into the commercial space as they grow.
Makaruk said despite the worsening effects of climate change and impact on honey bees, he's optimistic for the future of the environment.
"Sickness or problems thrive in the darkness, bringing awareness to these problems is the first step in the solution," he said.
And he's noticing an increased number of people getting back into urban agriculture, like beekeeping, to slow the effects of climate change.
"I'm actually pretty optimistic, there’s a lot of people working in these spaces to restore the environment," he said.
